26/1/2018 0 Comments Postnatal and ExerciseRegular exercise after childbirth offers a range of health benefits. For example, exercise helps you return to your
pre-pregnancy shape and gives you increased energy to cope with the demands of new motherhood. Consult with your doctor or midwife before starting any postnatal exercise program. You may need more time than you think to heal from childbirth. This is especially true if you had a caesarean delivery. However, you can begin exercises to tone your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles as soon as you feel ready. If you had an episiotomy (a cut in the perineum to widen the opening during delivery) or tore your perineum during birth, pelvic floor exercises can help to speed your recovery. See your doctor, midwife or physiotherapist for more information. Gentle tummy exercisePregnancy splits your abdominal muscles down the middle. It is important to make sure your muscles have healed before you do any vigorous abdominal exercises, such as abdominal crunches. In the meantime, you can tone your tummy by performing an exercise that strengthens the deepest muscle layer (transversus abdominus). You can perform this exercise lying down, sitting, standing, or on your hands and knees. Be guided by your doctor, midwife, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, but general guidelines include:
Once the gap in your abdominal muscles has closed, you can progress to more demanding exercises. General guidelines include: Tummy exercise – stage two
Exercise for the lower abdominal muscles
The pelvic floor muscles are tightly slung between the tailbone (coccyx) and the pubic bone, and support the bowel, bladder, uterus (womb) and vagina. Childbirth can weaken these muscles and cause problems, such as incontinence, later in life. Pelvic floor exercisesTo exercise them, you must first direct your attention to these muscles. To help you identify these muscles, they are the ones that you tighten to stop urinating (weeing). These exercises can be performed lying down, sitting or standing. Try to relax your abdominal muscles. Don’t bear down or hold your breath. Gradually squeeze and increase the tension until you have contracted the muscles as hard as you can. Release gently and slowly. Then perform the exercises, which include:
Types of postnatal exercise
General suggestions for aerobic exerciseBe guided by your doctor or midwife, but general suggestions include:
Warning signs to slow downDon’t overexert yourself. Your body gives out warning signs if you are exercising too hard, and these signs may include:
You should gently exercise your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles every day. Things to remember
Reference: Better health Victoria
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In the postpartum period, it is as important to care for yourself as it is during your pregnancy.
Massage can help you handle the physical demands of caring for a newborn by reducing tension and increasing energy. If you are nursing, a relaxing massage can help since tension interferes with milk letdown. Emotionally, massage can nurture and comfort you whether or not you are experiencing postpartum 'Bules,' When to schedule your first postpartum / postnatal massage will depend on how your delivery went and what your health care provider and massage therapist feel is best for you. 30/9/2017 1 Comment Pregnancy Massage Q&AIs prenatal massage safe throughout the entire pregnancy?
During a healthy pregnancy, and if the Mum-to-be is generally in good health herself, then massage is safe and can also be a wonderful addition to prenatal care. Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester. And in most cases, it is safe and beneficial to receive massage up to and beyond the due date of the pregnancy. Some establishments will refuse to offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because they wish to avoid any liability due to the increased risk of miscarriage during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, unless it’s a high-risk pregnancy, there is no physiological reason to avoid massage in the first trimester, as your uterus is still the size of a plum and protected by the bony structure of the pelvis. Are there circumstances when massage during pregnancy isn’t advisable? There are some instances when massage may not be appropriate, particularly if it is a high-risk pregnancy or you have certain health conditions. So it’s always advisable to check with your doctor or midwife before having a massage. How is pregnancy massage different to regular massage? If you have had a massage before, then you know how great it feels. But pregnancy massage is a little different. For example, the positioning during the massage is critical to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby. The therapist will also have to adjust their strokes and techniques to accommodate the pregnancy. The massage is always tailored to meet individual requirements. What position will I be in during a massage? The best position during massage is on your side with pillows for support, which provides the most stability for the baby and is also most comfortable for you. The massage table is also designed to be propped up so that you can be on your back in a semi-seated position. It can also be elevated at the legs to reduce swelling (NB: This is also a safe position to lie in during pregnancy as it does not put weight on the major blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart.) What are the benefits of pregnancy massage? Pregnancy massage has been found to relieve back, muscle and joint pain, sciatica, leg cramps, headaches and reduce swelling and stress. It is a popular alternative for pain relief, as medications are often limited. Does my abdomen get massaged? We do not massage the abdomen during pregnancy, unless it is requested. We do however believe that it is a wonderful thing for the expectant mother to massage her own abdomen, as it can be ideal for the start of the mother-baby bond which your massage therapist can advice you how to massage your own abdomen. What clothing do I wear for massage? Do I have to be undressed?Pregnancy massage can be performed with as much or as little clothing as you’re comfortable wearing – it’s always a personal decision. Usually we recommend that you keep underwear on, and we use towels for coverage so only the parts that are being massaged are exposed. Is massage painful? On tight and irritated areas, massage therapy can be uncomfortable and cause soreness the following day; this is sometimes necessary to release tension. The pressure of the massage can however be as light or as deep as is needed. It is important that you always feel comfortable and enjoy the treatment. If something doesn’t feel right, inform your therapist immediately. Which massage oils do you use? At TenPhysio we use grape seed oil with no added essential oils. Grape seed oil is one of the best oils to use during pregnancy, as it’s perfect for massage and yet doesn’t leave greasy or sticky residue. We recommend avoiding the use of essential oils during pregnancy. This is purely a precautionary measure, and is simply because you may not always know the chemical composition of the oils, or what effect – if any – they could have on a developing baby. How often should I have a massage when I am pregnant? This is entirely up to you. Each woman and each pregnancy is different, so there is no standard answer for this question. If you’re having a difficult pregnancy, with back and muscular pain, leg cramps, sleeplessness and/or swelling we recommend coming once a week in the last trimester. Usually we recommend a 60-90 minute massage. How soon can I come back after the baby is born? If it was a healthy pregnancy and delivery without any major complication, a massage can safely be given as soon as you feel ready. However, if you have a caesarean-section you will usually need to wait at least 5-6 weeks for the scar tissue to heal. Are there any parts of my body that shouldn’t be massaged during pregnancy?During the first trimester the abdomen and deep work on the lower back should be avoided. There are acupressure points on feet and hands that are known to stimulate contractions, but only if they are worked specifically and accurately. Gentle massage to assist with swelling or joint pain is safe for most women. The exception to this is that if you have had pre-term contractions, the ankles should be avoided entirely – just in case. Cr. Tenhealth&Fitness 30/9/2017 0 Comments Pregnancy Massage Q&A Is prenatal massage safe throughout the entire pregnancy? During a healthy pregnancy, and if the Mum-to-be is generally in good health herself, then massage is safe and can also be a wonderful addition to prenatal care. Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester. And in most cases, it is safe and beneficial to receive massage up to and beyond the due date of the pregnancy. Pregnancy woman who is still in her first trimester still can begin her massage treatment at this stage. However, we she have to declare her health conditions if there is any high-risk in pregnancy, there is no physiological reason to avoid massage in the first trimester, as your uterus is still the size of a plum and protected by the bony structure of the pelvis. Are there circumstances when massage during pregnancy isn’t advisable? There are some instances when massage may not be appropriate, particularly if it is a high-risk pregnancy or you have certain health conditions. So it’s always advisable to check with your doctor or midwife before having a massage. How is pregnancy massage different to regular massage? If you have had a massage before, then you know how great it feels. But pregnancy massage is a little different. For example, the positioning during the massage is critical to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby. The therapist will also have to adjust their strokes and techniques to accommodate the pregnancy. The massage is always tailored to meet individual requirements. What position will I be in during a massage? The best position during massage is on your side with pillows for support, which provides the most stability for the baby and is also most comfortable for you. The massage table is also designed to be propped up so that you can be on your back in a semi-seated position. It can also be elevated at the legs to reduce swelling (NB: This is also a safe position to lie in during pregnancy as it does not put weight on the major blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart.) What are the benefits of pregnancy massage? Pregnancy massage has been found to relieve back, muscle and joint pain, sciatica, leg cramps, headaches and reduce swelling and stress. It is a popular alternative for pain relief, as medications are often limited. (Please read our article on Pregnancy Massage for more information.) Does my abdomen get massaged? We do not massage the abdomen during pregnancy, unless it is requested. We do however believe that it is a wonderful thing for the expectant mother to massage her own abdomen, as it can be ideal for the start of the mother-baby bond. What clothing do I wear for massage? Do I have to be undressed? Pregnancy massage can be performed with as much or as little clothing as you’re comfortable wearing – it’s always a personal decision. Usually we recommend that you keep underwear on, and we use towels for coverage so only the parts that are being massaged are exposed. Is massage painful? On tight and irritated areas, massage therapy can be uncomfortable and cause soreness the following day; this is sometimes necessary to release tension. The pressure of the massage can however be as light or as deep as is needed. It is important that you always feel comfortable and enjoy the treatment. If something doesn’t feel right, inform your therapist immediately. Which massage oils do you use? We use sesame and coconut oil with no added essential oils. These oil are perfect for massage and yet doesn’t leave greasy or sticky residue. We recommend avoiding the use of essential oils during pregnancy. This is purely a precautionary measure, and is simply because you may not always know the chemical composition of the oils, or what effect – if any – they could have on a developing baby. How often should I have a massage when I am pregnant? This is entirely up to you. Each woman and each pregnancy is different, so there is no standard answer for this question. If you’re having a difficult pregnancy, with back and muscular pain, leg cramps, sleeplessness and/or swelling we recommend coming once a week in the last trimester. How soon can I come back after the baby is born? If it was a healthy pregnancy and delivery without any major complication, a massage can safely be given as soon as you feel ready. However, if you have a caesarean-section you will usually need to wait at least 5-6 weeks for the scar tissue to heal. Are there any parts of my body that shouldn’t be massaged during pregnancy? During the first trimester the abdomen and deep work on the lower back should be avoided. There are acupressure points on feet and hands that are known to stimulate contractions, but only if they are worked specifically and accurately. Gentle massage to assist with swelling or joint pain is safe for most women. The exception to this is that if you have had pre-term contractions, the ankles should be avoided entirely – just in case. How much does a massage treatment cost? Pregnancy massage is set at the same price as regular massage (after all, it doesn’t seem fair to charge you more just because there are two of you). Usually we recommend a 60-minute massage, which is $120 home visit.* see website for more T&C And if you think you need a little longer, a 90-minute session is $150.* https://organicsmum.weebly.com/services-i-pricing.html We also offer a course of 5 massages at a discount of 10% per massage, which can work really well if you are planning to have regular massages during your pregnancy. Having a baby can be one of life's most exciting and challenging experiences. It can also be a bit of a roller coaster – you'll feel joy, happiness and delight at times, but there may be others when you feel stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed and confused. It's important to keep your emotional health in check throughout the journey. What is emotional health? Emotional health is a state of wellbeing. Just as there are many benefits from being physically healthy, you, your partner and your baby can all benefit from being emotionally healthy. When you feel well and content, you're better able to manage stress, maintain happy relationships, communicate your feelings and really enjoy life with your new baby. Looking after yourself during pregnancy Here are some tips to help you look after yourself and your emotions when you’re expecting a baby.
Why are emotional problems common during pregnancy? The combination of physical, social and emotional changes in pregnancy may, for some people, lead to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. You’re at greater risk if you’ve experienced mental health conditions before, if you don’t have enough support, are a young or single parent, or have been through a tough time. This might include relationship difficulties, problems with conception, abuse or loss. But mental health conditions can happen to anyone — just like any physical health condition. It’s important to look after yourself and keep an eye out for any changes in your mood, or if you’re finding it difficult to cope with daily life. While ups and downs are part of pregnancy, if you’ve been feeling sad, down, worried or anxious for two weeks or more, it’s time to seek support. Pregnancy loss Miscarriage is traumatic for everyone, including parents, family and friends. Some people feel a deep sense of shame, and it’s easy to become isolated if you feel like you can’t talk about your experience with your loved ones. It’s very important to remain connected with your family and community during this especially difficult time. If you were expecting more than one baby, a miscarriage can also complicate the grieving process, particularly if one or more babies survive. The process of grieving may contribute to, or mask, signs of depression. If you’ve lost a baby, it’s important to keep in touch with health professionals and organisations that provide support for families at this time. Joining a support group of people who’ve been through the same thing can often be a helpful step. Looking after yourself during early parenthood Feeling happy, content and well supported means you’re in the best possible position to be responsive and available to your baby. This helps to develop a strong, secure bond that will ensure your baby continues to develop physically, mentally and emotionally. Good emotional health and communication strengthens your relationships with any older kids and other family members. Focusing on these can also help couples through the challenges of adjusting to a new baby together. Reference: https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents/becoming-a-parent-what-to-expect/emotional-health-and-wellbeing
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Q & AContraindication for a postnatal / postpartum massage?
A massage will not be performed with: |