Keeping fit as a new mum

CAMILLA FOSTER ASKS THE EXPERTS HOW WOMEN CAN EASE BACK INTO EXERCISE AFTER GIVING BIRTH

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RESEARCHERS are advising new mothers to get back into exercise within the first 12 weeks of giving birth, as it has been shown to improve mental health and sleep.

After reviewing 574 previous studies, experts from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology have recommended that new mothers aim for at least 120 minutes of exercise per week, spread across four or more days. The guidelines, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also strongly advise daily pelvic floor muscle training to help prevent urinary incontinence.

Here, experts outline some gentle and realistic ways to reintegrate fitness into your life as you embark on this new chapter of motherhood.

How soon after childbirth can women generally begin exercising?

The NHS website states that if you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise - walking, gentle stretches, pelvic floor and tummy exercises - as soon as you feel up to it.

However, it's a good idea to wait until after your six-week postnatal check before you start high-impact exercise, such as aerobics or running.