Take baby steps please…..

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We are surrounded by images of  celebrity mums bouncing back into shape following the birth of their baby, undoubtedly this puts more pressure on new mum’s to get back to their pre-pregnancy shape at break-neck speed.

Physically, as well as emotionally it is important to take it slowly and give your body time to heal; in the early days the most important things you can do are thinking about adopting good posture at all times, pelvic floor exercises and walking (all of course whilst bonding with you new little bundle of joy). Once you’ve had your GP check (usually between 6-8 weeks) you can step things up to the next gear, ideally under the supervision of a pre/post natal exercise specialist who is suitably qualified. If you had a c-section, you will just need to wait just a couple of weeks longer to start exercising again, this allows time for your scar to heal and recover from surgery.  In both of these situations it is important to take your time and build up your fitness gradually, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to do too much too soon.

High impact activities should be avoided until at least 4-6 months (although this is highly individual and varies from person to person), the reason for this is due to the effects of relaxin still flowing around your body. Relaxin is a hormone that is released in early pregnancy to loosen your joints in preparation for labour a  few months down the line, and it subsequently makes your joints quite unstable. If you begin running, aerobics, Zumba too soon you put yourself at risk of injury, not to mention what it will do to your pelvic floor!! Listen to your body, if your knees, back or pelvis are causing you pain or discomfort then it is probably wise to ease your exercise back a bit. There is plenty that you can do at a lower intensity, that get’s a sweat on, but is safe, just ask and please be careful!!

Please share this with anyone you know who has recently had a baby!

Emma