Biking and an episiotomy

[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.

[KnottedYet]

Wow, Tricanada! 8 weeks after this huge episiotomy and you are doing a half Iron Man...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17628

[tricanada]

Wow, Tricanada! 8 weeks after this huge episiotomy and you are doing a half Iron Man...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17628

Now you know why I asked the question My doc and lactation nurse gave me the go ahead and since I resumed training, my son continues to gain the right amount of weight if not more each week. I consider myself lucky.

[Grog]

This is very cool TriCanada, good luck with your tri and raising the new baby! Your kid is going to be very proud of his mom when he sees the pics from the tri many years from now, I can tell you that!

The more I read about this, the more I think I'll pick up marathon running and not cycling randoneering after giving birth though! At least when running you don't have to sit on the sensitive bits!!

Good luck!