3 weeks post partum

Last week I went through a bit of a depression, but not from post pregnancy hormones or anything, it came from the words: "...and no exercise until 6 weeks...".

We had our two week midwife visit last Wednesday.  This is where we go into the clinic and Reed and I get a full check-up.  He weighed in at a hearty 10lbs 10oz, so that's a two pound gain, which is quite good considering that they are happy if the baby gains back to their original birth weight!  Everything checked out great, until the midwife asked how I was healing up and I made the mistake of saying: "Great!  I've even been able to get on my bike trainer in the past week!" 

Immediately she shook her head frowning (good thing I didn't tell her I'd been doing a daily core strengthening workout since the first week...!).  She explained that no matter how good I'm feeling, my musclesand ligaments are still too stretched and I can wreck my pelvic floor if I go for it too early and have lifelong incontinence problems.  I then inquired about swimming, as another midwife had told I could go after a couple weeks, but she gave a big no-no to going into public waters, there being a considerable risk of infection, which could affect my future fertility.  (Although, I am still not certain I want to have another... )

So I spent the next couple days depressed, another 4 weeks seems an eternity!  After 9 months of dreaming of hard workouts and running, I have to wait another 4 weeks!  I've lost 24lbs, down to 140, but I seem to have stagnated and need to get exercising to get the last 15lbs off.

On the bright side, Reed and I have 4 more weeks of quiet snuggling and bonding... and more walking!