Postnatal Exercise Without Pressure | My Parkrun Journey After C-Section

After having my second C-section, the idea of “exercise” felt very far away. My body was healing and simply getting through the day with a toddler and a baby felt like enough.

Four months after my C-section, our closest family friends introduced us to the idea of parkrun, we went along as a family to our first Parkrun on the first Saturday of January 2025. 

I didn’t run.

I didn’t jog.

I walked.

And that was more than enough.

Starting Where I Was

That first Parkrun wasn’t about fitness or pace. It was about showing up with family, friends, strangers, moving gently, and seeing how my body felt. I walked the whole way, listening to myself and taking things slowly — something postnatal life had already taught me to do.

There was no pressure to go faster. No expectation to “improve”. Just encouragement, smiles, and people reminding me that walking is Parkrun too.

 

One Year On

A year later, I now run Parkrun most weeks.

Not because I forced myself to, but because it happened naturally. As my strength returned and my confidence grew, movement started to feel good again. Some weeks are easier than others, and that’s okay too.

What’s surprised me most isn’t the physical change, it’s everything that comes with it. 

 

Community, Stories, and Support

Through Parkrun, I’ve met some truly incredible people. I’ve heard stories of resilience, recovery, loss, joy, and quiet determination. People show up carrying their own experiences, and for 5km, we share the same path.

There’s something incredibly grounding about that.

A Family Thing

Parkrun has also become a family thing for us. My children being a part of exercise, thanking volunteers for their time and volunteering with us is encouraging healthy habits for life. 

Some weeks we walk with the buggy.

Some weeks the dog comes along too.

Some weeks we run, some weeks we take it slower.

What matters is that we’re there together.

It’s become a gentle weekly reminder that movement doesn’t have to be intense to be meaningful, and that recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s a sense of achievement however it is accomplished. 

How Parkrun Works

If you’re curious about Parkrun but feel unsure, it’s refreshingly simple.

You register once online at parkrun.org.uk, save or print your personal barcode, and then you can turn up to any Parkrun event - anywhere - whenever you’re ready.

There’s no cost, no pressure, and no obligation to run. You can walk, jog, push a buggy (check the course is suitable online), bring a dog (where permitted), or simply take it at your own pace. Volunteers are always there to welcome you, and there’s a real sense of kindness and encouragement from start to finish.

For me, knowing I could just turn up and do what felt right made all the difference.

A Gentle Reminder for New Mums

Postnatal exercise isn’t about “getting your body back”. It’s about supporting the body you have now, in whatever way feels right for you.

For me, that started with walking. For someone else, it might be something entirely different and that’s okay. 

Always listen to your body, and seek guidance from your midwife or GP when returning to exercise after birth.

Why This Matters to Me (And My Brand)

Those early months taught me how important comfort, kindness, and patience are with our bodies and with ourselves.

It’s one of the reasons I created The Nursing Nighty: to support mothers during recovery, night feeds, and the quiet moments in between without pressure or expectation.

Because motherhood isn’t about rushing.

It’s about finding what supports you, one step at a time.

(This post reflects my personal experience. Every postnatal journey is different - choose what feels right for you and if you are unsure consult with your gp, midwife or a health professional).