Six weeks is a clinic visit in some systems. It is not ACOG’s start gun, and it is not a licence for HIIT.
There is no single international “cleared at 6 weeks” gate. Name the body. Do not mash them into one “NHS rule.” Information, not a diagnosis.
If you are bleeding heavily, feverish, short of breath at rest, or you have chest pain or a swollen calf, stop and get care.
Named bodies
- ACOG 804: gradually as soon as medically safe; some women within days; PFMT immediate; clinical evaluation before a programme.
- CDC/WHO: 150 min/wk moderate; some better than none.
- CSEP/BJSM 2025: 120 min MVPA ≥4 days. Do not swap with WHO 150.
- NHS England: 6-week check BEFORE high-impact.
- NHS Inform: 3–6 months before jogging.
- UK CMO: after 6–8 wk check, build vigorous over ≥3 months.
- RCOG public PF: avoid high-impact and heavy lifting 4–6 weeks, especially after 3rd/4th-degree tear. NOT the same sentence as the NHS 6-week check.
- KKM: day 1 after SVD; no abdominal strengthening after CS until 2 weeks or wound healed.
- Goom et al 2019 consensus: running not advisable before 3 months, typically 3–6, after pelvic-health assessment. Consensus, not ACOG/WHO statute. Do not merge with Christopher 2024.
Tree (not a diagnosis)
RED — stop, clinician: heavy non-period bleeding; incision pain worse with movement; fever; chest pain; breathlessness at rest; calf pain/swelling; dizziness during effort; heaviness/bulge; leaking you cannot ignore; tummy gap still obvious at 8 weeks; 3rd/4th-degree tear or assisted birth not checked.
YELLOW — gentle only: walk, easy daily movement, PFMT if comfortable. No sit-ups, planks, jumping, heavy lifting.
GREEN — short strength ok to try: walk without worsening pain; not leaking/heaving under load; checks your birth and country actually use. Then nap-length page. PF page first if that is you.
Vaginal vs CS: different clocks, same stop signs.
Will not: bounce back, week-2 HIIT, “ACOG said wait 6 weeks for all exercise,” close a gap in comments.
If you are leaking or feeling heaviness, read Your pelvic floor is not a Kegel homework chart.
Information only. Sources named. 17 Aug 2026.