October: Tips for Pre & Post Natal
For new moms staying fit and healthy is not just trendy but good for both mom and baby too.
BC Physiotherapists share 4 tips to prevent injury, alleviate pain and keep British Columbians moving for life.
Vancouver, BC October 1, 2012 | Today many pregnant women and new moms expect to maintain the active lifestyle of their pre-pregnancy days. And, with the number of prenatal and mommy-and-me boot camps and yoga classes out there, it’s easy to see why. There’s a lot of pressure for expecting and new moms to stay fit, which is good for mom and baby however, some additional precautions should be taken when exercising to ensure the safety of both mom and baby. There’s no doubt that pregnancy and early motherhood can be hard on a woman’s body. The Physiotherapy Association of BC has compiled 4 tips to help pregnant and postpartum women prevent pain or injury before and after giving birth.
“Staying fit and active while pregnant and after your delivery is really important,” says Rebecca B. Tunnacliffe, CEO of the Physiotherapy Association of BC. “Exercising while you’re pregnant helps to strengthen and prepare your body for birth and to ensure you’re ready to care for your newborn and regain your fitness. And, by following our Physio-4 Tips for Pre and Post Natal Women you can reduce your chance for injury,” adds Tunnacliffe.
Physiotherapists have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to developing a safe and effective pre and post-natal exercise program to keep expecting and new moms pain and injury free. Here are some of their top tips:
- Pregnancy and caring for your baby can cause backache.To prevent backache, keep your body tall, whether you are standing, sitting, lifting or reaching. Avoid slumping when feeding your baby and use pillows to help support your arms and your baby to prevent neck and back pain.
- Urinary leakage is common.During pregnancy and postpartum, women may experience urine, bowel or gas control problems. Doing pelvic floor exercises can prevent these problems. See a pelvic floor physiotherapist for an assessment and to learn how to do these exercises effectively.
- New moms are eager to get back in shape. Restoring the profile and function of your tummy/abdomen requires knowing what exercises to do and what not to do both during and after your pregnancy. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can teach you how to do these exercises effectively.
- Exercise during pregnancy is good for you.It will keep you fit and strong and can help your body recover after delivery. Even a weight program is all right provided you have good technique and can perform at least ten repetitions of each exercise. Avoid high contact sports that could potentially hurt your baby.
To contact a physiotherapist to have a pregnancy program created to continue working out during and after your pregnancy, visit www.movingforlife.ca
The Physiotherapy Association of BC created the Physio-4 to share the expertise of its members with fellow British Columbians. “Each month, on our website (movingforlife.ca), we provide 4 tips for a specific activity or health issue relating to that month to help keep British Columbians moving for life,” says Tunnacliffe. “We want British Columbians to know that if they are injured or in pain, a physiotherapist can help. After all, we are the healthcare professionals physicians recommend most,” she states. The Physio-4 Tips for Pre & Post Natal provides suggestions to keep women, who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, pain and injury free.
To learn more about how physiotherapists keep British Columbians moving for life, visit movingforlife.ca.