The third trimester of pregnancy is when the demands of the fetus are greater due to rapid growth and development. Fetal growth is dependent upon blood supply of oxygen and nutrients from the mother via the placenta. Vigorous intensity exercise (defined as at least 70% of maximum heart rate or an exertion level at which...
A recent article in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (Deering et al, June 2020) discusses the research currently available to guide a return to exercise (including competitive sport) after pregnancy and childbirth. The short answer is, there’s not much. The article proposes a 3 phase approach to postpartum recovery in athletes. Phases...
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a normal thinning of the connective tissue known as the linea alba as a response to increased intra abdominal pressure (IAP). Studies estimate that around 60% of first time mothers at 6 weeks postpartum will have a DRA. A study by Sperstad et al. in 2016, notes that the presence...
“Do your kegels.” How often do pregnant women hear that little phrase? These days, most prenatal apps, books, or health care professionals will tell a pregnant patient to do their kegels at some point during pregnancy. How many should you do, how often, should you really be doing them, and how do you even know...
The 6-week postpartum doctor’s visit is when women are often “cleared” for activity and are often advised to start slowly and gradually build exercise volume. Running is a popular activity in the postpartum population given the flexibility of scheduling exercise, weight loss and fitness benefits and ability to participate in exercise with your baby (once...
The pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments, fascia and nerves located within the bony pelvis of women and men. In physical therapy we often discuss the muscles of the pelvic floor and may simply refer to these as the “pelvic floor”. These muscles serve essential functions including: Support for pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, bowel) Control...