Preparing for first ride post-baby

[Hippophilia]

Did anyone do any exercises (ie gym ball and kegels) before the first ride or did you just jump on and go? I'm thinking the best thing to get my fitness back is riding, plus I am quite lazy so was shamefully neglectful during my pregnancy and post-natal of kegels etc. I am a month post-natal now and was going to wait until 6 weeks before trying for a little potter around the school. How was the first ride for other people? Did you feel a huge difference? How about mentally?

 

[Littlelegs]

I just got on really, no preparation. At first it was strange because I had no stomach muscles, well at least not the pre pregnancy ones, so initially did the quieter stuff I did in pregnancy till they came back. Obviously didn't solid muscle to appear by magic but thought as my stomach went down quick the core strength would still be there in part.

 

[Hippophilia]

That's what I'm hoping too...I didn't put on too much weight and my stomach is also disappearing quickly (go breastfeeding!), so physically I'm already feeling pretty good. As long as I don't think about my pelvic floor, that is...

 

[Frisbee123]

I got back on at about 6 weeks and felt really fine. It just felt normal except my stomach muscles were really weak and sore the next day. I did a short session but walk, trot and canter were fine. The worst bit was being a bit uncomfortable where I had stitches (and feeling like I may wet myself )