Pretty much anyone who has been pregnant has had someone tell them āOoh, you should get a pregnancy massage!ā And sure, massage sounds great, but what does that have to do with pregnancy? As it turns out, quite a lot. There are a number of reasons to get massage while you are pregnant, some of which are the same as the reasons for getting a massage in general, and some of which are specific to pregnancy. Here are some benefits …
BfB’s First Trimester (Again)
One of the most exciting things about being an entrepreneur is having the opportunity to reinvent the business as it evolves. Ā It’s also one of the most exhausting and rewarding parts too; not unlike motherhood! Since day one, I’ve promised that I would evolve Bodies for Birth to fit the needs of the community. Ā With opening the doors to our Phinney location, I’m continuing to do so. I knew that a new location would bring change, but I didn’t anticipate …
The Isolation of the First Trimester
Letās talk about this time because I have a hunch that weāre lacking support in a really big way. Some might say this could apply throughout the trajectory of the perinatal time, but today I want to address the first trimester.Ā This can be a window of overwhelming change, erratic emotions, adjustment and sometimes fear. In working with women throughout the years, one thing is crystal clear.Ā We need more support during these first few months. Initially I thought that …
Meditate Your Way!
You know Iām a huge fan of meditation and if youāve attended group training, youāve likely given it a try! It seems like everywhere you turn, thereās a āmindfulnessā meme and/or someone else is shouting the benefits from the rooftops. Itās kind of like when someone begins exercising for the first time and then goes around telling everyone how amazing it is and the benefits they feelā¦even to those people who have been exercising foreverā¦any maybe to the very people …
Fitness Gains in Pregnancy
Yes, it is possible to gain fitness while pregnant!Ā Ā I see it all the time and it’s amazing!Ā Ā During an initial one-on-one, its quite common for me to hear stories of less than optimal fitness routines.Ā Ā Many of us are working too much and finding less time is available to devote to health and wellness.Ā Ā Common stories are of long weekdays spent at desks and efforts to get in some form of exercise on the weekends.Ā Once there’s a little one or two …
When Self-Care Becomes Toxic
Iām totally guilty of this.Ā We all know the seasons of life when our focus on wellness/health/healing, comes naturally.Ā Perhaps youāre focused on a specific goal:Ā trying to conceive, training for an event, weight optimization etc. The list is well intentioned and itās created with great enthusiasmā¦but itās only sustainable for so long.Ā During these times of focus, the self-care to do list can become REALLY lengthy and really overwhelming. Iām talking about those rituals and routines that we would …
Your Unique Self-Care Prescription
What are you doing for yourself today? Ā What does your morning ritual look like? Ā Do you have one? Setting the tone for each day with energizing, mind clearing rituals, with gentle movement, with meditation,Ā journaling, breathing…or simply with intentionĀ can make a huge difference. I know it can sound positively daunting–especially if you’re a new mom. Ā So where do you start? Ā Well, you just simply begin and take it one step at a time. My mom alwaysĀ references a beautiful book by Anne …
A Research Review – Exercise in Pregnancy: An Association with Placental Weight?
Exercise during pregnancy is a hot topic these days. As a childbirth professional passionate about helping individuals stay active throughout the perinatal period, I have been excitedly witnessing the pendulum swing that is in progressāa swing from fear of exercise to empowerment through movement. Ā Many pregnant people, who enjoyed a very physically active life before pregnancy, understandably want to continue that level of activity during their pregnancy as well. Ā They would like to know what the evidence says about safely …
What is Holistic Pelvic Careā¢? Guest Contributor: Beth Rubin, MSOM, LAC
WHAT IS HOLISTIC PELVIC CAREā¢? The primary goal of Holistic Pelvic CareĀ (HPC) is to empower a woman to inhabit her pelvic space and occupy her feminine ground physically, energetically, emotionally and spiritually. HPC is a technique consisting of physical and energetic tools designed to evaluate and restore balance in the pelvic space of the female body. Holistic Pelvic Care is for women of all ages (18 and older) to address pelvic symptoms or enhance general wellness. It was developed by …
Physical Therapy in the Perinatal Time: Guest Contributor, Aimee Lake, DPT
Physical therapy can be very helpful for maintaining a healthy level of physical activity during pregnancy. It can be helpful for managing and solving some of the physical challenges of pregnancy. It can also be a great resource for preparing for birth and post partum recovery. People often think of physical therapy in terms of getting rid of pain or the rehab thatās needed after a surgery. But as a Womenās Health physical therapist, I like to think of my …