Richa Chadha reached the gym just two months after delivery, when should one start exercising after delivery

When should you start exercising

Mayoclinic According to Dr. A.K. Singh, if there were no complications in your pregnancy and you had a vaginal delivery, then you can start exercising after delivery whenever you feel comfortable. But if you had a C-section or there were any complications, then you should consult your doctor before starting exercise.

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How long should you exercise

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, women should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week after pregnancy. This includes time to warm up and cool down. Start slowly and drink plenty of fluids. If you feel pain during exercise, stop.

Know this before exercising

National Health Service According to , after pregnancy, your lower back and abdominal core muscles become weaker than before. At the same time, your ligaments and joints also become more soft and flexible for a few months after delivery. In such a situation, the risk of injury increases if you stretch or twist too much.

How to avoid over-exercising

If after doing any activity, you are experiencing excessive bleeding or your lochia is pink or red in colour, it means that you have exercised too much. You may feel very tired in such a situation. Listen to your body and take rest along with exercise.

Benefits of exercising after delivery

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists According to Dr. , exercising after delivery strengthens and tones your abdominal muscles. Along with this, you also get energy and do not suffer from postpartum depression. Apart from this, you get good sleep and stay away from stress. Exercise also helps in reducing pregnancy weight.