Cardi B Defends Her Postpartum Workout 8 Days After Giving Birth—But Is It Safe?

Here’s a summary of this article I contributed to. Read the full article on Parents

• Cardi B, a new mom, defended her postpartum workout, emphasizing it was her third baby and she wasn’t doing heavy lifting. She mentioned that staying active helps her avoid postpartum depression, but fans questioned the safety of her routine.

Expert Opinions:

• Light Exercise Postpartum: Light exercise is generally safe after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, though C-section recoveries require more time.

• Physical Readiness: Someone with strong baseline fitness, like Cardi B, might be able to do higher-intensity cardio sooner, but healing is still crucial.

• Hormonal Factors & Healing: Postpartum, the uterus is still shrinking, and hormone relaxin can increase the risk of ligament strains if there’s too much activity too soon.

Postpartum Depression and Exercise:

• Exercise can sometimes help alleviate postpartum depression symptoms, but intense workouts too soon may reflect unhealthy coping mechanisms for managing negative emotions.

Conclusion:

• While Cardi B’s fitness level and previous births may make her feel ready, experts stress the importance of healing and consulting healthcare providers before diving into intense workouts postpartum.