Generally most women can begin a formal exercise code within 6 weeks of giving birth, though this measure frame might be slightly longer for some women, including those recovering from a C-section. Most women recovering from a C-section will be able to exercise after there incision has healed and their doctor has cleared them for exercise.

Just how soon you start an exercise code will depend in part on how you feel. If you had an elegant delivery with no tearing and few interventions and regularly exercised prior to birth, you can feel up to some light exercise within 2 weeks of giving birth.

If this is the case, your doctor will most definately allow you to engage in some light activities, including walking. Strenuous activity should almost always be avoided however until several weeks after birth.

For some women however, even light exercise in the weeks following delivery is not possible. If you had an episiotomy or tore severely while delivering for example, your body might not physically be ready for a formal exercise code for at least 4-6 weeks after birth (note this is also how long most physicians recommend that women abstain from intercourse