Exercise/pregancy after c-section/guilt

[Lizzy]

Hi, I had a emergancy c - section nearly 6 weeks ago, our first bub , all very exciting. Just wondering can anyone give me some advice on exercise, when they started back ect? I was very fit before my pregnancy and during. I did triathlons up until 8 weeks into my pregnancy, I continued to run until 16 weeks, then walk and did pump class twice a week until I was 34 weeks, then just walking. I have been walking since I come home from hospital and have gradually increased pace and distance. I feel good but have some slight pulling every once in awhile, have my checkup in 2 weeks. Also does anyone know when you are able to fall pregnant again after a c - section?

One more question, was anyone not able to hold their new baby straight away after their c-section? I didn't until I returned to my room as I was so nervous I would drop him as I was shaking so much and really ill from all the drugs. I feel guilty to our little man as I never had that initial bonding/skin contact in the first few minutes of his life they want you to do. My husband is wonderful and reassures me he knows who his mum is!!! I also didn't breast feed from 3 weeks, so I feel like we have a less bond from that also.

[~Kaz~]

Hi Lizzy!! Welcome to BB and congrats on the birth of your son!!

Given your high level of fitness before and during your pg, I'd go with what level of excercise your body feels comfortable with. I think the 6 week time frame is an average time for most people to heal but if you're already walking etc then just increase the intensity as you feel comfortable. The pulling is probably a sign to slow up a bit. You know your body best though.

You'd have to check the 2nd pg stuff with your Dr but I was told at my 6 week check up that I was right to fall pg again pretty much any time after that.

I held my son after he was born (not sure how many minutes later it was) but it wasn't skin to skin until more than an hour later when I fed him in recovery. You could try stripping down your top half and feeding your son naked - even though you've got the bottle, you're still feeding him and he's still getting the skin to skin contact. Another thing you could try would be to have a bath or shower with him. I'm sure he know's you're his mum but doing these things might help you feel more bonded. Also, it can take a while to bond with a first baby anyway, regardless of the way they were born. That's pretty normal and common. I didn't fully bond straight away with DS - it took a couple of months before I really felt fully bonded with him. I just tried to "fake it til you make it" and that seemed to work for me.

[*Infinity*]

Hi Lizzy

Congratulation on the birth of your son & welcome to BB.

I was very fit during my pregnancy, and after my emergency c-section I went back to my normal pilates regime at 8 weeks post natal. I probably could have gone back a week or two earlier, but I wasn't really in the right frame of mind, and given how focussed pilates is on the abdominals, I wanted to give it a bit more time. So start back when you are comfortable I guess. Being so fit during pregnancy means that you're likely to have a speedier recovery too which is great.

I was able to hold my son in theatre after he was lifted out but didn't get the skin to skin contact until we were in recovery, shortly after his birth, maybe 30-40 minutes after the c-section. I did feel sad about that but we made up for it as he got older. Its normal to react to some of the drugs and it can be a really stressful experience, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Breastfeeding didn't go as planned for us either, so I felt extra guilty about losing that bond with my son'too, but as time went by I realised that there are many other ways to bond with him and I've worked on those. Lots of skin cuddles, we have baths together, nap time together etc.

Good luck with your little one, and remember that there are heaps of other wonderful mums & dads here that you can chat to or ask advice of.

[skeetaboat]

I started pump & pilates etc 3 weeks after c section, but did modified moves, nothing that pulled or stretched the area of my scar. Doc & instructor were both fine with it as long as I took it easy, did the modified moves and listened to my body if anything didn't feel right. I had been doing pump & weights right up until a few days before birth so it wasn't hard to get back into it. I think you'd be fine to give it a go, just listen to your body

[Me+him+bub]

i didnt see my bub unti i was back on the ward either and my milk didnt come in until day 7 so i totally understand. Yes i dont feel i have bonded with him as much as my DF or as I should have but I know I will in time.