Running after c- section

rchlbug02 · March 2012

Hi ladies-

I had a c-section with my first baby five weeks ago. I ran a lot prior to getting pregnant and a little bit during pregnancy but not much at the end. I was super excited to be able to run again after my daughter was born and my OB cleared me to run at my two week post op visit. I've been running since then, very slowly on the treadmill with walking intervals, every other day. It's felt really good but there is soreness in my abdomen a bit above my incision.

My question is, what type of soreness is normal versus something I should be concerned about. It's not painful, per se, but I do feel it while running. I don't mind the feeling I just want to make sure I'm not doing any damage to healing that will ultimately set me back. I will definitely talk to my OB about it at my six week visit next week but just wondered if anyone here had any experience with this. Thanks for your help!

kat&kevin · March 2012

I think that is pretty normal because of how you are sewn back up during a c/s. I had one 3.5 years ago and still get a wierd pain/tugging on it sometimes when I am working out.

runblondie26 · March 2012

You were cleared to run at your 2 week post-op?! I think running 2 weeks post-partum is pretty unheard of for a c-section.

I was allowed to walk, but wasn't cleared to run until 6weeks pp. Mine was a pretty easy, uncomplicated c-section otherwise, so I just built back slowly with a c25k approach. It took about 8-9 months before I completely stopped feeling tenderness in the incision, but it wasn't enough to keep me from running.

Most certainly you must be feeling some discomfort this early on.

Gummybear · March 2012

I've had 2 c/s, and 5 weeks out I was def. still feeling the incision! I was not even cleared to jog until my 6w pp visit. I would still feel a dull sort of pain probably until week 12 or so, and even now, I sometimes get a twinge (my baby is 8 mo.)Good for you for getting out there!

harleygirl01 · March 2012

I had a c-section with my second son. My first son was a brutal delivery (like, he did too much damage for me to deliver naturally the second time around) and I would take that over a c-section recovery any day!

I can't even imagine trying to run 2 weeks post-partum. I think you would be best to take it slowly. Very slowly. You don't want to injure yourself and wind up set back.

pdxjenn · March 2012

I agree with PP. I would expect to be sore for quite a few months in that area. Pulling and tugging are good descriptions of the pain and soreness. Listen to your body though... everyone's rate of healing and ability to be physical again will be different after a major surgery.

rchlbug02 · March 2012

runblondie26:
You were cleared to run at your 2 week post-op?!

Yes, cleared for all activity except ab work and heavy lifting. Although, my run now is definitely more of a jog, about 2-3 minutes per mile slower than my pre-pregnancy pace and for no more than 20 continuous minutes.

taratru · March 2012

You're only 5 weeks pp from a section? And running? Yeah, I'd take it down a notch. That's major surgery and will take some time to recover from. I started running at 9 weeks pp, but could still feel the incision until 8-9 months.

nerdsbride · March 2012

I've had 2 csections and was released for normal activity both at 6 weeks post partum. I would like to say a big HOLY CRAPBALLS to running 2 weeks after surgery. My wound wasn't even closed completely either time after 2 weeks. That's just crazy to me. Obviously it hasn't been too bad for you since you've continued running, but if there is a NEW pain that you haven't had before I would kick that activity until you see your doc again. Yikes.

FWIW, after my first csection my incision was reopened and that was no fun. LOL

Lavender444 · March 2012

I'm also a 2 times c/s mom, and and OB nurse and I'm also shocked you were cleared at 2 weeks to run. I have never heard of that before!

If you are feeling pain, back off for a while. Your body just went through something major. It needs time to heal. Even if you incision looks okay, you still need to heal on the inside too. With my second baby, I was doing too much too soon. He was in NICU and life was hetic. I actually reopened my incision when I was 5 weeks out (and working out wasn't even a thought in my mind yet-this was just from day to day stuff) So take it slow. It you're hurting, your body is sending you a message, listen to it. There is plenty of time to get back to where you were later.

Running after c- section

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