Biking and an episiotomy

[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.

[beetle]

My DS#2 is 10 weeks old today. I just went back through my training diary and I did my first ride at 3 weeks (for all of 20mins on the trainer). I had a minor labial tear with a few stitches (so nothing compared to your episiotomy). I was pretty nervous getting on for the first time and only planned to keep riding if there was absolutely no pain. I rode on the trainer so I could move around easily (and not have to worry about cars) and had a spare cloth nappy on standby to add a bit more padding if required. I was very conscious of slowing the healing by getting on the bike so for me I was well on the mend by 3wks.

Hear's my TMI advise. Don't go near the bike until you feel REALLY comfortable touching, moving, squeezing the scar tissue. If there is pain and sensitivity just to touch it you don't want to be sitting on a bike yet. In my non-medical opinion.

I'm also a big fan of the Concept 2 rowing machine, great cross training for running and cycling. Also good for abs and back strength which despite exercising through pg still seem to take a beating.

As others have said, time with baby and rest are very important but I understand your desire to get back on the bike. For me exercise has become my "me time" and break that allows me to recharge and then get back to the job of being a good parent. This is only possible though as my second one sleeps and feeds much better than #1 and I am getting lots more sleep/rest.

[mimitabby]

wow, Beetle, you are lucky. my #2 son was so much harder than my #1 son
that if he'd been born first, I would have stopped RIGHT THERE!

good advice though.

[beetle]

wow, Beetle, you are lucky. my #2 son was so much harder than my #1 son
that if he'd been born first, I would have stopped RIGHT THERE!

Very lucky. #1 was neither really good or really bad and I had anticipated the new little guy to be more of a handful so I think, so far, I've just been lucky and have benefited from expecting the worst.