Biking and an episiotomy

[tricanada]

Two weeks ago I had a baby and along with it came a third degree episiotomy (18 stitches). The good news is the baby is healthy. I had hoped to resume riding as quickly as possible - this was before I knew what 18 stitches would feel like! I swam, biked and ran throughout my pregnancy and my doctor fully supports me resuming my activities based on how I feel.

My question is what are some of your experiences or words of wisdom as to when I can realistically expect to get back in the saddle. I have a tri and a road bike, if positioning makes any difference.

Thanks in advance.

[Cindyloo]

I haven't had any children but I do know what an episiotomy is and just reading the title of the thread made my butt draw up . Congrats on the new baby!!!

[margo49]

Congratulations! You have a healthy baby and the how-it-came-out is irrelevant and will become even moreso (less-so??) as time passes.

I have pm'd you (as a veteran of 2 episiotomies and a tear on the birth of ds#2 - it's a tapestry Down There I can tell you even tho' I haven't looked at it since the first one and I fainted. But you are prob'ly made of sterner stuff)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I haven't had any children but I do know what an episiotomy is and just reading the title of the thread made my butt draw up . Congrats on the new baby!!!

What she said.
The words "biking" and "episiotomy" should not be used in the same sentence!

Hope you heal fast! If it were me I would wait at least 6 weeks for the tissue to heal completely, and then I'd take it real s-l-o-w....

[Trekhawk]

What she said.
The words "biking" and "episiotomy" should not be used in the same sentence!

Hope you heal fast! If it were me I would wait at least 6 weeks for the tissue to heal completely, and then I'd take it real s-l-o-w....

Im with Lisa take it real slow. I have three kids and can list one episiotomy, one tear and one emergency c section to the list. I wasnt biking at that stage so I cannot tell you how long before you will be back on the bike. I did however get a great tip from one of the nurses and it was to dry the area after showers with my hairdryer. It really helped.

Sending wishes for a speedy healing process.

[xeney]

(WHY DID I READ THIS THREAD? I saw the title, knew I should not read it, and read it anyway. No woman who is eight months pregnant needs to be thinking about bicycle saddles and episiotomies at the same time.)

[mimitabby]

I agree with the 6 weeks!
that's a lot of stitches!
you've had a major tear. PLEASE don't be in such a hurry.

[Trekhawk]

(WHY DID I READ THIS THREAD? I saw the title, knew I should not read it, and read it anyway. No woman who is eight months pregnant needs to be thinking about bicycle saddles and episiotomies at the same time.)

Dont worry I know plenty of women who have given birth and required not a single stitch. I just wasn't one of them unfortunately.

[mimitabby]

yeah, right. i had one stitch for boy #1 and none for boy #2 who had an enormous head.

Like I said, this is exceptional. I hope you heal quickly, but particularly after your first born, there are some incredible inner bruising (felt like bone bruises to me)

[singletrackmind]

Wow, I never thought I'd say "YAY emergency c-section" but there you have it.

Take it easy already, you've kept up on everything so yeah, you might lose a little but it should come back quickly. Heck, being so sleep deprived you're hallucinating will affect you more than anything else anyway.

Welcome to the world of compromise and lots of giving. As I learned to say during the early parts, there'll be time for bike rides later, this is more important.

[Grog]

I have no personal experience on any of those matters, but I can imagine you're itching to go back on the bike. If a regular bike is not an option (and I would also err on the side of a 6-week period, but I'm neither a doctor not a survivor), maybe a recumbent-style bike would allow you to get the bike-muscles moving without messing up the healing tissues? Can recumbent-owners chime in?

[mimitabby]

Wow, I never thought I'd say "YAY emergency c-section" but there you have it.

Take it easy already, you've kept up on everything so yeah, you might lose a little but it should come back quickly. Heck, being so sleep deprived you're hallucinating will affect you more than anything else anyway.

Welcome to the world of compromise and lots of giving. As I learned to say during the early parts, there'll be time for bike rides later, this is more important.

um were you able to ride 2 weeks after your c-section?!?!

[singletrackmind]

Able to or wanted to??? I don't remember saying anything about riding again after 2 weeks? I guess that's when you were back on the bike? Wow, that must have been nice.

Staples were out and I was well-enough healed by then. I didn't take the pain pills they gave me. It wasn't great, but it wasn't all that bad either. I don't think I got back on the bike until a month after if that? I didn't get much support at the time, it was very difficult to get out on my own. Our first several months were all about the baby and where I could sneak a nap in. We did a lot of walking/hiking together until he could hold up a helmet, then we were off and riding.

Anyway, whatever I said wrong, I'm sorry. Best wishes tricanada, for a quick and easy as possible heal.

[Trekhawk]

Anyway, whatever I said wrong, I'm sorry. Best wishes tricanada, for a quick and easy as possible heal.

I dont think you said anything wrong. Being the lucky women that has experienced both C section and vaginal births I can say neither was without pain and its own set of issues. Either way it can't have been too bad or I wouldnt have ended up with three (and trust me I am a wimp when it comes to pain).

tricanada - listen to your own body and take things easy and enjoy your new baby aahhhh they grow so fast.

[tricanada]

thanks everyone for your input. As with most exercise stuff the answer seems to be "listen to your body". So far the healing is getting better everyday so we'll see. The suggestion of a recumbent bike is a good one that I might try when I am up for it.