Post pregnancy exercise can help you feel better about yourself, even though it may be the last thing you feel like doing. The benefits are many, from aesthetic to health. But there is no question that engaging in physical activity following pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Why should you exercise after pregnancy?

It allows you to lose baby weight. It helps keep your heart healthy. It improve your muscle strength. It makes your tummy stronger. It increases your energy levels (you're going to need it!). It will help you be in a better mood. It will help eliminate (some of the) stress from your system. It will help prevent the development of postpartum depression

When should you start?

You no longer need to wait until your six-week check before starting gentle exercise. If you have started physical activity during pregnancy and had normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, it won't be long before you can start exercising. Typically, without any complications or other medical issues, you can start days after delivery, or as soon as you are ready. It's a little different if you've had a c-section delivery.

What are you aims? What do you want to achieve?

Typically, the recommended aerobic activity per week for healthy women after giving birth is just two and half hours, moderate intensity and ideally spread out throughout the week.

Stretch and warm up before exercising and let yourself cool down afterwards. Begin slowly and build up. Maintain whatever is comfortable for you. Do not go beyond your comfort zone. Avoid excessive physical activity that will lead to dehydration, stress, and fatigue. Wear appropriate clothing, especially supportive underwear. Immediately stop exercising if you feel any sharp, stabbing, dull, or achy pain and seek medical help if you see fresh vaginal bleeding that is heavier than your normal menstruation.

You can try out some simple physical exercise to get you going and increase your load gradually. You can take a gentle walk around the block. You could always go to the gym and seek the guidance of trainers who have had some experience dealing with women exercising after birth to help you go through your physical activity - they often have crches too.

It can be very challenging if you are the primary caregiver of your newborn to find time for exercising after pregnancy, but it's good for your whole family if you are feeling better about yourself.