Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise

On the first weekend of college football, you may ask, why in the world is there an article on prenatal and postpartum women in this week's sports medicine moment? Well, last week I became a proud father of a little baby girl, who was born at River Park Hospital’s awesome Family Birth Center.

To my wife and all mothers, you have my respect and admiration and therefore this sports medicine moment is dedicated to you.

I think it is obvious that I a proponent of exercise, and the benefits of exercise do not skip prenatal and postpartum women. During these times, exercise helps decrease low back and pelvic pain, maintain appropriate weight and increase Endorphins that lower risk of depression.

Recreational exercise such as walking, running and swimming can be continued throughout the prenatal period, but women should check with their OB specialist before beginning any new exercise program. Weight lifting for “toning” can often be continued during the first two trimesters. Team sports and recreational activities that have a higher risk for trauma, such as softball and bicycling, should be limited, but are best if avoided.

Robin Bell, a certified nurse midwife with Innovative Women's Health and Dr. Rene del Valle, endorses exercise, but states that exercise should be avoided if you experience extreme fatigue, have been placed on bed rest or have poorly controlled disorders such as blood pressure, diabetes, or seizures.

Recent medical literature links unnecessary pregnancy weight gain to childhood obesity. The Kaiser Foundation estimates that 36% of all children in Tennessee are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity increases many medical risk factors including diabetes, premature joint pain, and cardiovascular diseases.

Robin Bell states that she individually determines for her patients what amount of weight gain is necessary for a healthy baby utilizing a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Generally, if a person is overweight prior to the pregnancy, less weight gain is necessary and but more weight gain may be recommended for someone who is underweight.

Low back pain is a common complaint due to the increased looseness of the pelvic bones from the hormone called Relaxin. Relaxin increases as early as 14 weeks and can remain into postpartum as long as breastfeeding is occurring.

Christi Gilliam, PT, who specializes in orthopedics and women's health at River Park Hospital, recommends an evaluation with a women's health physical therapist for women who experience pelvic or low back pain during the prenatal or postpartum period. She states that specific pelvic exercises during prenatal and postpartum can help control these episodes of back pain.

If you are expecting, talk with your OB specialist because prenatal and postpartum exercise could play a major role in the health and well being of you and your baby!

Zach Sutton, DPT, MS, OCS