Pilates After Birth
Pregnancy is one of the biggest changes we can experience as women. With the growth of the baby through each trimester the expanding uterus moves around all the surrounding organs to make way for baby. Now that you are in your postpartum journey it is time for you to focus on your needs both internally, physically and perhaps even emotionally.
Preventing Back Pain
The shift of the weight being predominatly forward and the pressure on the pelvic organs from the growing uterus and child can cause a lot of discomfort and even pain for some mothers. Around 6 weeks most women, with no complications, are given the clear to return to fitness. You’ll want to start gentle and slow with your weekly progressions but with pilates we can help you in all ways. While also preparing you to start carrying extra weight (baby) throughout the next years! By committing to a regular routine in your pilates program we can increase abdominal strength, pelvic stability and stregthen the body as a whole. Often times the weak abdominal muscles and lack of pelvic muscle strength are a major cause for back pain. It will also take time to gain this control with the body slowly returning to its more normal state after the birth of your child.
Shoulder Strengthening
Being able to carry your child shouldn’t cause you pain. We work on all the surrounding muscles to help strengthen each area and to allow for better support when you atart to cary your child. It will also help tremendously with the extra laundry and folding you will be doing during this time!
Glute Strengthening
With pregnancy and the increasing pelvic tilt through the months you will begin to lose you glute strength. The increasing atrophy of your glute muscles will also increase instability in daily life and especially in exercise. Generally after a comprehensive evaluation and assessment you may not be able to participate in exercise. Some issues that may be experienced in your post birth body is the lack of pelvic floor muscle control. Your glutes are a part of these muscle groups and most others connect to it as well. It is not a fix one muscle ordeal. Often times it’s the whole muscle group not functioning at its optimal ability that can cause incontinence, leaking, pain and tightness.
Speaking to a doctor of physical therapy specialized in women’s health can help you determine what muscles need to be focused on and will be able to assist you to a point where you can return to physical activity.
See this blog post: for a directory link and local resources available to you.
Doctors women’s health specialized.
