I created a Prepare for Your Postpartum Course to fill the gap I see in the preconception-pregnancy-birth-postpartum world. There is a lot of emphasis on the pregnancy and the birth (for very good reason) but that emphasis falls off quickly in the postpartum period, when a mother is in one of the most vulnerable stages of her life. My goal with this course was to give mothers a framework for their healing and recovery postpartum so that they feel supported and cared for during this time. Over the next handful of weeks I'm going to be sharing more information on what I believe is the five basic principles of postpartum.
This week's topic is on movement.
Moving your body after your baby has arrived requires time and grace. The type of movement that we are referring to here isn’t necessarily an exercise regime or workout plan, but a way of intentionally moving your body. This includes diaphragmatic breathing, ergonomics at home, light stretching, walking, baby wearing, and doing house work. As mentioned in the section on rest, it is important to give your body the time and space it needs to fully heal and adapt.
Movement can also be a nourishing part of that healing process. Diaphragmatic breathing helps you reconnect to your core muscles and pelvic floor. How you sit, stand, walk, and move around your home can also help to strengthen your body and help increase your energy levels as you recuperate from labor and delivery. Your body may feel foreign to you with all the changes that occurred during your pregnancy and after, and intentional movement is one way that you can reconnect with your physical body and get to know its new form.
Actions to consider:
Practice belly breathing. Feel the sides of your belly expand in all directions. While laying in bed in the morning and at night, practice 5-10 diaphragmatic breaths. This can be done lying down or sitting up.
Go to YouTube and watch the functional progression videos (BIRTHFIT has done a great job for this). Tuck this information in your brain for after your baby has arrived.