5 Steps For Returning To Exercise Postpartum

1. Start with breathing and gentle movement right away.
2. Ask your doctor about your delivery.
3. Schedule an evaluation with a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist.
4. Focus on healing and strengthening rather than weight loss.
5. Find a community for support.

Breathing

While structured breathing work may seem simple-even silly- to some, we know that it is a powerful tool for the pregnant and postpartum woman.  Deep breaths have the ability to calm the nervous system which can affect muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure.  Additionally, the respiratory diaphragm can mobilize muscles in the pelvis and back due to anatomical connections. Muscles, including those shown in the photo below, are big players in midline stabilization and support.  A great place to start is the 90/90 breathing drill (seen below). Try this out for 10-15 breaths at the end of your day.

Ask questions​

Many postpartum women do not know all of the details after birthing their baby.  Some have told me they were not aware they had stitches down below until the 6-week check-up when the doctor wanted to make sure they were healing well!  The check-up at 6 weeks can be quick so arrive with questions. It is helpful to know about any tearing, episiotomies, tools used during the birth, etc.  These factors are all great to bear in mind as you return to exercise and daily functioning.

Another question to ask-- “Is there a pelvic health PT that you would recommend?”  They may know someone in the area or have worked with them prior.  However, do not become discouraged if they don’t have a name to offer.  A Google search for “women’s health PT” or “pelvic PT” should show professionals in the area.  Compare websites and reviews to see if the PT would be a good fit for you and your goals!​


​Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Once you have been cleared by the doctor for “usual exercise” and intercourse, I highly suggest visiting a pelvic health or women’s health PT.  They will be able to further answer any questions about symptoms you may experience immediately postpartum and later.

A pelvic PT is specialized on evaluation and treatment of the pelvic floor musculature.  They can perform internal evaluations to test the strength and endurance of your pelvic floor, check for prolapse, address any soft tissue issues, etc.

For the evaluation, the therapist will use a gloved finger to palpate muscles internally. While a great deal of information can be gathered from an internal evaluation, it is not necessary for visiting a pelvic PT.   The therapist can then prescribe exercises to help relieve the symptoms and provide hands-on work to hips, back, sacrum and other involved areas. Your PT should be a huge help in getting you back to fitness postpartum!  Other areas they can treat and improve are bowel/bladder issues, painful sex, and pelvic pain.


Focus on healing and strength rather than weight loss

Social media and advertising may be all about “getting your body back” and fixing “mummy tummy,” but that is not the focus when you are postpartum.  The first step in returning to fitness is addressing foundational strength and continuing to heal from the pregnancy and birth.  Your body will go through so many changes in the months following your pregnancy and the timeline is different for every single woman.

Steer clear of programs that say at week 8 you do blank. It should all be self-paced and based on symptoms, your birth story, and prior activity level.  Do you need help starting out?  This was the number one question I received from women in the clinic.  “What can I do?  Where do I start?” So I developed programming to recover and rebuild your core after having a baby. Check out the THRIVE: Rebuild Bundle programming HERE.

Find a community for support

Returning to group classes or running groups can be challenging because you will not be jumping right back into the level you were previously exercising.  Having a group of women who understand your needs and have been or are currently at the same stage as you is tremendously beneficial.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please join my Back to Fitness Postpartum Facebook page.  We have posts nearly every day and a lot of great discussions- some serious and some silly!

Once you return to group classes, be sure that the trainer knows you are postpartum and if there are any symptoms with movements.  If they offer other movement suggestions that still do not feel great, then modify further!  Symptoms (leaking, pain, heaviness in the vagina) are a signal to decrease the workload by resting or modifying or both!

Getting back to fitness postpartum can be challenging but it is not impossible!  With a holistic plan and support you will be able to recover and rebuild to get back to your favorite activities.  If you are looking for help with learning more about postpartum fitness, the pelvic floor and how to reach your goals, then please reach out at Athletes’ Potential.


Thanks for reading,

    Dr. Jackie, DPT