Pilates for new mums

Pilates for new mums

Specialist in pre and postnatal pilates for new mums

Hi my name is Wendy Levy. I am a new mum and understand how your body can feel after having a baby.

What is Pilates? Pilates is a program that improves muscle control, flexibility, co-ordination, strength and tone through physical and mental conditioning. When we adopt poor posture we get aches and pains in the body because of muscle imbalance. Some muscles will tighten while others lengthen causing undue strain and pull on our joints.

Pilates will correct any bad posture and movement habits that you may have and with gentle exercises condition the core and stability muscles so that tension can be taken away and give you relief from pain.

There are many changes that occur in the spine and pelvis in pregnancy, they are:
Increased lumbar (lower back) extension
Increased pelvic diameters
Increased ligament laxity (due to the hormone Relaxin that can remain for some time after birth)
Increased mobility of the symphysis pubis and sacroiliac joint
Instability around the pelvis and spine

So the time has come and your new baby has arrived into the world, what a magical time.  With everything that happens you are unaware of the stresses placed on your body and It is not until baby is a few months old that you start to feel pain generally in the back, neck or shoulders.

Some examples of the activities that cause the pain are:

1. Feeding baby with a poor sitting position.
Make sure your hips are level, do not cross your legs. Have arm propped up by a pillow or cushion allow arm to rest and shoulder to relax down.  Try not to twist or lean forward. Look up from baby regularly to prevent neck strain.

2. Standing holding baby.
Keep shoulders relaxed and down away from your ears. Avoid rounding your shoulders. Keep up straight as leaning back will compress the vertebra causing back ache and further weaken abdominal (tummy) muscles.

3. Lifting things such as the pram in and out of the car.
Position pram near the boot of the car before folding it up. Bend from your legs (a squat position) to pick up the pram from the ground and gently draw your lower tummy muscles in. Do not twist your back.

When it comes to exercise and awareness of movement the small changes that you make will give you greater results long term and allow you to have a better quality of life.

I have over 11 years experience specialising in Pilates - pre and post natal. I will help you feel re-energised again.

Book a consultation - come and see me at Aquatic Natural Therapies,

Corner of Bluebell and Abelia Street, Alexandra Hills. Telephone: 3207 5088