Post Baby Ramblings with a Side of Fitness

When life gives you a c-section…

I’ve always been strong. I’ve always been fit and determined. While I would prefer not to admit it, a part of my identity has always been my fitness. I take comfort in the fact that I am healthy, strong and always up for a challenge. Before I had little baby Logan I could run a half marathon without training (because I was training every day anyway, I was always prepared).

When I got pregnant with little Logan, I just assumed I would carry on with my fit life. Pregnancy was not too difficult for me. I had some aches and pains and was more tired than usual, but generally could still maintain my fitness routine. I ran a half marathon at over 7 months pregnant without any problems. My friends, my doctor, all kept telling me how great I was doing, how easy my pregnancy was and how this little baby was just going to slip out.

That face - so worth it!

Maybe everything was just going too smoothly. Too according to plan. When I arrived at the hospital I was already 8 centimeters dilated. It seemed like I would just be pushing this baby out soon, no problem.

After being admitted at the hospital everything just seemed to take a turn. Basically from the moment I arrived, there was concern. Every time I had a contraction Logan’s heart rate would drop, he seemed to be stuck and in distress. Everything moved fast and soon the doctor was suggesting we try to suction him out (honestly, I wasn’t really in any place to argue). We tried this but every time the suction popped off. Immediately after the third time I was rushed off to am emergency c-section.

I’ve always prided myself in being strong, in control of my body and avoiding the hospital at all costs. In a matter of 2 hours, all of this was taken away from me and I was sent into an invasive surgery; a surgery that would require me to refrain from performing any activity for 6 weeks and limited activity after.

The C-section went well and soon Logan was introduced to the world. He was perfect and I am so thankful both of us came out on the other side safe and healthy. But even with this excitement, I had a host of other emotions.

Emotional Aftermath

I was excited, in love, sad and angry. From the time we got to the hospital to the time Logan was born was 3 hours. From the moment we got to the hospital it was a high stress environment with constant concern over Logan’s heart rate. There was no talking with my doctor; there just wasn’t time. Every decision was made in an emergency capacity and I feel like my choice was taken away.

In the US, with most surgeries, you are given physical therapy for 6 weeks to help with recovery. Do you know what they do for you with a C-section? Nothing. They cut you open, hand you a baby, tell you not to use your abs or core, not to lift more than 10 pounds and send you off.

Major Surgery

A C-section is MAJOR surgery. It’s not laparoscopic; it’s not an in/out one-day procedure. You are cut open, organs moved aside and a baby is pulled out of you. Why is there no post-surgery care? I would think that this is a time in your life where helping you heal properly should be a high priority so you can better care for your baby?

I hope that more mothers advocate for this, because it’s important to get care and proper healing after this procedure. It’s important to rebuild your core, abs and back for your own health and the health of your baby.

My Mission

Part of the process for me in coming to terms with this surgery and regaining my fitness is to help others who have been in this same situation or maybe are coming back from another surgery or obstacle. Often losing fitness is not a choice it’s something that happens for many reasons.

While I am nearly 6 months out from delivery, I am now at a place where I can share what I have done and will be doing to become even stronger than I was before this surgery and teach Logan how to be a BADASS BABY along the way!

My goals for this site and for you

This blog is going to feature workouts, recovery routines and advice for everyone: new mama’s, those new to fitness, those with injuries, those with running PR goals. It’s going to be for everyone.

Have a question about a workout? Questions about motherhood? Questions about fitness? Shoot me a note in the comments or hit me up on Instagram @superwomankw!

Let’s get stronger together!

Xoxo,

Karen & Logan