Pregnancy and Beyond – Motherhood Program
You have decided that this is the time to transition into the role of a mother and for a lot of women the reality is you will be wearing many hats and that change is on the horizon.
Some women feel like a new wonderful person in the early stages of pregnancy and other women wonder how they are going to get through the next 9+ months. Expecting moms can be dealing with:
- Fertility challenges
- Waves of fatigue/sleep deprivation
- Nausea
- Worry that they are not eating appropriately for the new “two”.
As your body changes you realize that you cannot simply “do” the things you used to.
- Why is getting out of a car or chair suddenly giving you sharp back pains?
- Are you dreading the first couple of steps of walking?
- Are you wondering, “am I doing too much?” or “should I really be exercising the same way I used to?”
For a detailed review of our Pregnancy and Beyond Program click here.
Is it Safe to Exercise During Pregnancy?
- All women without contraindication* should be physically active throughout pregnancy including those who were previously inactive, who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and those who are categorized as overweight or obese pre-pregnancy.
- Pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week to achieve clinically meaningful health benefits and reductions in pregnancy complications.
- Physical activity should be accumulated over a minimum of 3 days per week; however, being active every day is encouraged
- Pregnant women should incorporate a variety of aerobic and resistance activities to achieve greater benefits.
- Pelvic floor muscle training may be performed on a daily basis to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. Seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist is recommended to obtain optimal health benefits.
- Pregnant women who experience light-headedness, nausea or feel unwell when they exercise flat on their back should modify their exercise position.
Treatment for the following pregnancy-related topics:
- Pelvic floor anatomy
- Pelvic floor muscle relaxation/strengthening
- Safe exercises during pregnancy
- Positions to promote pelvic muscle relaxation for delivery
- Correct pushing techniques
- Perineal massage
- Gentle home program to start in early postpartum
GWHA’s pelvic health physiotherapists provide education, treatment and guidance on your pregnancy journey. Even after baby arrives!
Occupational Therapy may be a fantastic addition to your treatment team. Your OT will help you to develop individualized strategies for
- managing your symptoms
- managing the emotions intertwined with them
- navigating your relationship with your symptoms, your body, and with movement
- re-engaging in the life activities, roles, and relationships that are important to you.
Individualized care plans may include nervous system regulation, somatic & sensory tools, Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, Graded Exposure, mindfulness techniques, and exploring day to day functioning, day to day demands, and life balance.