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! 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 …
Featured Mama: Sarah S
Our journeys to and through motherhood are so completely unique and there’s much to be gained from sharing our stories. 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! Let’s embrace one another with love and support. INTRODUCING, SARAH …
Featured Mama: “E”
In today’s “Featured Mama” edition, E shares her powerful story and insight for staying flexible when things don’t go as planned! E’s motivation to stay strong helped to facilitate healing and an efficient return to the higher intensity level of fitness that she’s accustomed to in her life. All the effort in pregnancy paid off! As always, we are strong …
MY BIRTH STORY AND EVERYTHING I LEARNED FROM IT
An original post from the blog, Mom Smart Not Hard. Thank you for sharing with the Bodies for Birth community! L was born on a late evening in early July. It was hot and I was very ready to be done being pregnant. I was so excited to have a little baby that I could actually hold after months of …
PREPARING FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY: ALLI’S BIRTH STORY
An original post from the blog, Mom Smart Not Hard. Thank you for sharing with the Bodies for Birth community! N was born on a Monday evening in late summer. Like many mothers, getting to the amazing moment of holding her in my arms for the first time was a long process, and quite different than I had envisioned. Let’s start …
How Does Mom & Baby Gym Work?!
How Does Mom & Baby Gym Work?! Here are the nuts and bolts: Mom & Baby Open Gym (MBG) runs from 11 AM -1 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. During this time, attendees arrive on their own schedule (with the last entry at 12:30 PM) to participate in a postpartum specific circuit. There are six stations set out in the group class …
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 you’re an athlete looking to safely continue your fitness routine? Either way, you have come to the right place! One only has to “google” maternity and fitness to know …
“I Don’t Need to be Quick Fixed, Thanks Though!”
So, hands up if you saw the NPR interview (what felt more like an infomercial) last week, “Flattening the ‘Mummy Tummy’ with 1 Exercise, 10 minutes A Day.” I first heard about it when I was at a fitness supply store doing some pricing for the new studio. When learning of my fitness specialty, the sales manager excitedly exclaimed, “Hey, …
Abdominal Separation FAQs: Part II
I’m 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 haven’t yet read Part I, you can find it here! Let’s get started with a bit of research: Boissonnault & Blaschak (1988) found that …
Abdominal Separation FAQs: Part I
Today I’m talking about abdominal separation or diastasis recti to which it is formally, or medically referred. This separation can lead to the appearance of a “mummy tummy” or “pooch”…the “mommy belly.” Speaking from personal and professional experience, I know that some days it’s easier than others to refer to and interact lovingly with this pooch that may remain! Below are five …