Why you are postnatal or postpartum FOREVER !
Did you know that post birth you are actually “postnatal forever” ! Pregnancy and birth have a HUGE impact on your core and pelvic floor, and I think most Mama’s can agree that you do not “snap” back to your pre-body when you are 6 weeks postpartum, especially when you are given the “all clear” by your Dr or OB to start exercising.
Being postnatal forever is NOT a bad thing…
- You don’t stop being postnatal and potentially experiencing issues to do with pregnancy and birth, just because you reached the magical six month post birth mark.
- Your pelvic floor muscles don’t magically get stronger. Or continue to be effective just after a few months or days of attention !
- The connective tissue that supports your pelvic organs doesn’t magically get firmer .
- Your abdominal wall separation / diastatis recti doesn’t magically close and get stronger at transferring load during exercise.
Travel your own recovery road
Your goal when returning to exercise postpartum should be to rehab BEFORE you re-train so you have a strong foundation on which to build. Not sure where to start – grab my complimentary POSTPARTUM RECOVERY TIMELINE – focusing on this during pregnancy is a great way to plan your postnatal care and rehab
Your recovery might take, 8 weeks, 4 months or 5 years. Every woman’s postpartum recovery journey is different depending on a variety of factors including what exercise you have been doing before and during pregnancy, your birth, your sleep and even your posture !
CONSISTENT safe and effective movement for LIFE is the key
I know it is challenging as you scroll through social media and see mama’s who are post birth – running marathons, planking, lifting 40 kg above their heads or loving their bikini body challenge burpees ! It’s hard not to feel like there is some sort of “shape” you should be in.
Remember they are not you, and you do not need to be them. If you have EVER given birth, you are post natal forever. So please don’t give yourself an expected recovery deadline and please PLEEEASE avoid comparing yourself with other “miraculous” returns to pre-baby bodies on social media.
Postnatal FABULOUS – before your 6 week check up !
If you are interested in starting your postpartum movement safely and effectively you CAN before your 6 week post birth check up (as long as you have no medical conditions)
My specialised postnatal bundle program HERE can show you exactly how to do this – in as little as 5 -10 minutes per day.
Motherhood is incredibly physical so learning how to move as you go about your day in a way that supports your healing body is powerful. START HERE NOW and learn how you and when you can also progress to more intense movement when ready.
Risk Vs Reward
When doing any movement as a mother the benefits need to significantly outweigh the risk. For sure, there is some inherent risk with any kinds exercise, regardless of how ‘perfectly’ it’s programmed. I would also argue, there’s greater risk with not exercising.
However, exercising isn’t just about throwing some sprints in at the end of a workout. Or, working kettlebell swings, burpees, crunches and jump squats into a circuit because they make you sweat !
Your body has gone through significant changes during pregnancy and birth, so if higher intensity movements are to be included in a workout they need to be programmed and planned strategically…..when you are ready !
Importantly, if you are already exhausted and depleted as a busy Mum – you are not going to get any benefits by depleting yourself further through these types of movements – you are most likely going to end up injured.
If you have ever given birth, please remember the road to recovery is temporary, but injury can be permanent !
Your forever Mama workout
Many of my postpartum clients continue to do their post natal exercise programs I have provided – when their kids are well into primary school !
But what if we look a little further into the future… Do you stop being post natal just because you’re in your 50’s or 60’s?
No way ! You still need to move safely and effectively in a way that is suits your pelvic floor and core health. As…
50% of postpartum women are likely to have some kind of prolapse at some point in their lives…regardless of how many Kegels they do!
That includes any woman who has EVER given birth !
These statistics can be improved !!! It just takes a little bit of consistent WHOLE BODY effort and empowering yourself with what are safe and appropriate movements.
Check out these other blog posts for both pregnancy and post natal workout guidance :
Join my FACE TO FACE Brisbane Mums and Bubs Classes
How to prevent diastatis recti
Are box jumps and burpees suitable post birth ?
Should you plank during and after pregnancy ?
How to breath your way to a better core
Online POST NATAL PROGRAM – that can begin safely before your 6 week check up !
A postnatal summary
Above all, it is important to tune into your own body and meet it where it is at – daily ! Give yourself a contract of NO COMPARISON – this means don’t compare yourself to how you exercised before pregnancy, what the person next to you is doing for a workout, what you see on social media and think you should be doing and what you were capable of yesterday. As every day is different, every woman is different and every birth is different. Healthy looks different on every body
Connect with me in my Facebook Community called #BFABSQUAD and let me know your thoughts on being postnatal forever
xx
About Dahlas
Dahlas Fletcher is one of Australia’s most respected and successful certified and experienced Pregnancy and Female Fitness Trainers. Her goal is to help you be the happiest, most fabulous version of yourself, inside and out.