Benefits of exercise after pregnancy

Exercise may be the last thing on your mind after giving birth, but it's worthwhile. In fact, exercise after pregnancy may be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Follow these tips to keep exercise after pregnancy safe.

Regular exercise after pregnancy can:

-Promote weight loss
-Improve your cardiovascular fitness
-Restore muscle strength
-Condition your abdominal muscles
-Boost your energy level
-Improve your mood
-Relieve stress
-Help prevent postpartum depression
-Better yet, including physical activity in your daily routine helps you set a positive example for your child now and in the years to come.

Exercise and breast-feeding

Exercise isn't thought to have any adverse effects on breast milk volume or composition, nor is it thought to affect a nursing infant's growth. Some research, however, suggests that high-intensity physical activity can cause lactic acid to accumulate in breast milk and produce a sour taste a baby might not like. If you're breast-feeding, you can prevent this potential problem by sticking to moderate physical activity — or discarding milk produced in the half-hour following a high-intensity workout.
To stay comfortable while you're exercising, nurse your baby or express milk before your workout. It also helps to wear a supportive bra. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids during and after your workout.

When to start

In the past, health care providers often instructed women to wait at least six weeks after giving birth to begin exercising. But the waiting game may be over. If you exercised during pregnancy and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, it's generally safe to begin exercising within days of delivery — or as soon as you feel ready. If you had a C-section, extensive vaginal repair or a complicated birth, talk to your health care provider about when to start an exercise program.