YES! Multiple studies have shown that beginning or continuing a regular program of exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for healthy women and their babies. These benefits include:
improved feelings of well being
improved body image
reduced musculoskeletal pain
decreased maternal weight gain and fat deposition
improved labor and delivery times
decrease risk of premature delivery
lower incidence of complications
healthier babies
more rapid return of abdominal muscle post delivery
70% more likely to return to pre-pregnancy fitness, body weight, and body fat
within a year
Our Healthy Pregnancy Program is designed to help you achieve these benefits!
Our Healthy Pregnancy Program is a program designed to meet the unique needs of mothers during this special time in their lives. During pregnancy and after giving birth, your body goes through many changes that affect the way it responds to movement and exercise. The Healthy Pregnancy Program is an individualized program designed to meet your specific goals and needs. Whether your goals are to stay healthy and active during pregnancy, to lose weight after giving birth, to resolve issues with incontinence, resolve back pain or other musculoskeletal problems that can arise during pregnancy, or to learn safe body mechanics to stay injury free during pregnancy and after giving birth, our Healthy Pregnancy Program will help you safely and effectively achieve your goals.
Every pregnancy and every mom are different. That is why each Healthy Pregnancy Program is individuallydesigned by a Physical Therapist and tailored specifically to your goals and needs. Our knowledge base as Physical Therapists, and specialization and research in the area of exercise and pregnancy make us the ideal people to design a safe and effective program for you and your baby. Safety for you and your baby is always our #1 priority. We adhere to the most current guidelines and recommendations for exercise during pregnancy as provided by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
During your initial session you will receive a Personalized Pregnancy Evaluation. This includes:
***Pregnancy and Exercise History Assessment: your program goals are discussed, along with your pre-pregnancy exercise routine and fitness level, past medical history, and any pregnancy complications.
***Fitness Assessment: your current fitness level is assessed by monitoring pre and post activity blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation levels. This ensures that you are exercising in a safe and beneficial range for you and your baby.
***Biomechanical Assessment: your posture and body mechanics are assessed as it relates to your body changes and potential stresses or injuries.
***Musculoskeletal Assessment: a complete assessment of your muscle strength and flexibility, and a balance assessment
***Rehabilitation Assessment (if necessary): current injuries or pain are assessed; issues with incontinence are addresses; a Physical Therapy diagnosis is provided, and treatment of your injury/ailment is initiated.
After this information is obtained, we apply it to develop an individualized program specific to your needs, fitness level and goals. At the conclusion of the session you will receive:
1. A breakdown of your pregnancy and exercise history, fitness level, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal assessment and how it relates to your exercise.
2. A Physical Therapy diagnosis of any current injury or musculoskeletal problem and initial treatment of the injury with recommendations for necessary follow up and/or treatment at home. Common musculoskeletal problems seen during pregnancy include back pain, sciatica, head aches, pelvic floor involvement, S.I. dysfunction, muscle cramps, piriformis syndrome, nerve compression, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Education and teaching related to body mechanics and posture during pregnancy and after delivery to decrease pain and risk of injury.
4. Teaching and exercise for incontinence prevention and treatment during pregnancy and after giving birth.
5. An individualized home exercise program designed to meet your goals in accordance with ACOG recommendations and your individual fitness level.
*Note*: we also specialize in the unique area of runners and pregnancy and are able to combine our running and pregnancy programs to meet your needs. Please click on the runners side tab for additional program information and feel free to call or email with any questions.
Although our Personalized Pregnancy Evaluation is a comprehensive session designed to provide you with the information and the tools to persue your fitness and pregnancy goals, we also offer follow up sessions for those individuals who want continued assistance, and guidance towards their goals. Follow up sessions will vary greatly depending on each individuals needs, however typical sessions will include:
***rehabilitation and treatment for injuries or pain to assist in a fast recovery
***physiological monitoring (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, O2 saturation)throughout the session to ensure that you are exercises at a safe and beneficial level for you and your baby.
***incontinence treatment and teaching
***Hands on guidance and assistance of individualized stretching, strengthening, and exercise program to ensure proper technique and exercise level
***address any new injuries, questions, or concerns
***monitor and progress exercise program
***balance and core stability training
ALL sessions will provide hour long one-on-one individualized treatment by a Physical Therapist.
Physical Therapists are the exercise and rehabilitation experts. We understand the changes your body goes through during pregnancy, including hormonal changes, cardiovascular changes, musculoskeletal changes, edema, changes in body temperature, caloric expenditure and biomechanical changes. We are also aware of possible pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes and hyperthermia. We use this knowledge base, plus extensive review of current literature and research, and adherence to ACOG recommendations to design your individualized program. We also take into consideration your current level of fitness, pre-pregnancy fitness level, and physiological measurements to make your program truly unique to you. We are best qualified to establish a safe, healthy and beneficial exercise program. In addition, we can help prevent injuries and provide treatment for current musculoskeletal injuries and pain, get you back to feeling great and enjoying your pregnancy and your baby!
