RCOG guidance on postnatal exercise

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), postnatal exercise is very important for both mother and child. It helps the mother to recover from childbirth, prevent postnatal depression, and improve her overall health and wellbeing. Exercise also helps to improve the bonding between mother and child. However, it is important to wait until your body has recovered from childbirth before starting to exercise. This blog post will provide guidance on when you can start exercising after having a baby, based on the latest RCOG guidance.

The first few weeks after childbirth are vital for recovery. During this time, your body is adjusting to the hormonal changes that have occurred during pregnancy and childbirth. You may also be dealing with sleep deprivation and recovery from any perineal tears or Caesarean sections. For these reasons, it is important to take things easy during this period and not put too much strain on your body.

The RCOG recommends that you wait until 6-8 weeks after childbirth before starting to exercise again. If you had a Caesarean section, you may need to wait longer before starting to exercise. Listen to your body and don’t try to do too much too soon – remember that you have just been through a major life event!

Exercise has many benefits for both mother and child. For mothers, it helps to improve overall fitness, energy levels, and mood. It can also help to reduce stress levels and promote weight loss. Exercise is also beneficial for babies, as it helps with their development, coordination, and muscle strength. Furthermore, research has shown that babies who exercise regularly sleep better than those who don’t – this is good news for all new parents!

Exercise after pregnancy is vital for both mother and child. It helps the mother to recover from childbirth, prevent postnatal depression, and improve her overall health and wellbeing. Exercise also helps to improve the bonding between mother and child. However, it is important to wait until your body has recovered from childbirth before starting to exercise again – typically 6-8 weeks after delivery if you had a vaginal birth, or 8-10 weeks if you had a Caesarean section. Once you have recovered from the birth, there are many different types of exercise that you can do with your baby – such as walking, buggy fitness classes, swimming groups, yoga classes or massage therapy sessions. All of these activities have numerous benefits for both mother and child – so get started today!