Shelley, the author of the research review below, recently completed her 40 hour practicum at Bodies for Birth and has now officially graduated from Bastyr with a degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science! Â Shelley set out to learn more about what the current research says about exercise for the postpartum population and has summarized her findings. Read her research review here and more about Shelley and her experience as a student at Bodies for Birth below: Research Reviewed:Â Postpartum Womenâs Perspectives …
Featured Mama: Sarah S
Our journeys to and through motherhood are so completely unique and thereâs much to be gained from sharing our stories. Â With the Featured Mama Edition of our blog, we aim to highlight the power, strength and wisdom within our very own community! We are strong mamas, we are smart mamas! Â Letâs embrace one another with love and support. INTRODUCING, SARAH S! Tell us a bit about yourself: Iâm a 39 year old working Mom. I’m currently on maternity leave from …
Top 4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Maternity Fitness Program
Congratulations!  You probably just found out you are going to be mom for the first (or fourth!) time.  Perhaps you learned during your last pregnancy that you should have stayed more active? Perhaps youâre an athlete looking to safely continue your fitness routine? Either way, you have come to the right place! One only has to âgoogleâ maternity and fitness to know there are a lot of choices in the Greater Seattle Area.  While there is no doubt studies have shown you CAN …
Fitness Gains in Pregnancy
Yes, it is possible to gain fitness while pregnant!  I see it all the time and it’s amazing!  During an initial one-on-one, its quite common for me to hear stories of less than optimal fitness routines.  Many of us are working too much and finding less time is available to devote to health and wellness.  Common stories are of long weekdays spent at desks and efforts to get in some form of exercise on the weekends. Once there’s a little one or two …
Five Ways to Optimize Preconception Health (Even if Youâre Not Trying to Conceive)
Five Ways to Optimize Preconception Health (Even if Youâre Not Trying to Conceive) Lately, Iâve had the great fortune of working with more and more âPreconceptionâ Clients, individuals who are working to enhance their health prior to and while trying to conceive. I cannot tell you how excited I get about working with this population! And, you should know that many of my postpartum clients (those who plan to try for subsequent pregnancies) fall into this category as well! In …
Abdominal Separation FAQs: Part II
Iâm often asked about diastasis recti (the medical name for abdominal separation) by both pre and postnatal clients and do believe that education is key when it comes to both minimizing and rehabilitating this condition. If you havenât yet read Part I, you can find it here! Let’s get started with a bit of research: Boissonnault & Blaschak (1988) found that 27% of women have a DRA in the second trimester and 66% in the third trimester of pregnancy. 53% of …
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 thatâs needed after a surgery. But as a Womenâs Health physical therapist, I like to think of my …
Five Favorite Resources I’m Using Right Now!
Today, I’m sharing some of my absolute favorites from websites to books and IÂ hope you find inspiration, education and nourishing support from these resources. [hr] Healthy Living: Environmental Working Group, EWG Learn more about how to reduce your toxic burden from cosmetics to cleaning products and foods! Â This website is so packed full of info for you and your entire family. Â Eating organic and local can get costly, but there’s good news! Â EWG has created a guide with this in …
Mindset of Health for New Moms: Video from Guest Contributor, Dr. Kelly Morrow-Baez, aka The FitShrink
In working with women throughout the perinatal time, I have begun to notice a common theme. I work with lots of postpartum moms from a few weeks postpartum to a few years. Â Typical goals include weight loss, making time for self-care, getting stronger, regaining core connection, getting healthy (-ier) Â prior to trying for baby number two, concerns with how to beat cravings, how to enjoy and incorporate a healthy diet again etc. There is a very common theme that I …
Tara J’s Birth Story: Welcome, Conrad!
Tara J’s Birth Story: Again, my due date came and went. I was eight days late with my daughter, so tried to keep up my normal routine. I had finished my last day of work, so “normal” was entertaining my ever growing toddler and trying to get some exercise each day. Three days past my due date I began bleeding. I had planned to go to yoga that morning so I called my doula to make sure she thought it …