When to start running again after having a baby is a question I get asked a lot and one that I love to answer. Running is a very popular activity and one associated with helping losing weight and improving energy. Going out running with a buggy is appealing as it seems an easy way to ‘fit in fitness’ when you have just had a baby. However there are implications and it’s vital to understand that running too soon has a major impact on your core (tummy) muscles and pelvic floor in the long term. Note: THINK BEFORE YOU RUN.
Q: “My baby is 10 weeks old now and I feel ready to resume jogging again but someone mentioned that jogging too soon could be bad for my pelvic floor muscles? Should I wait?”
After having a baby your pelvic floor muscles can be stretched and weakened. If you add running, jumping or any sort of high impact activity to the mix too early or in the first few months after having a baby this may compromise the strength of an already weak pelvic floor. In the long term this can cause the risk of bladder, bowel problems or pelvic organ prolapse.
If you are having any ‘leaking’ if you lift, walk upstairs, move suddenly in a side ways manner then your pelvic floor and the whole of the ‘core’ is not yet strong enough. Similarly 10 weeks post baby in my view is not usually enough time for the body to recover and although you may feel fine on the outside, you’re unable to tell what is going on inside! I always recommend getting checked out by a Women’s Health Physiotherapist to assess your pelvic floor and following a good core strengthening programme such as the BeezKneez Classes or the Foo Foo Programme www.beez-kneez.co.uk or www.foofoofunbox.com
