prenatal exercise
Mamas on Bedrest: A Healthy Start Improves Outcomes
April 5th, 2013I love it when research confirms what I already know and am doing.
Shelley Wilkinson and H. D. McIntyre started a program in Australia called “Healthy Start To Pregnancy” in Australia. Their premise was that women given information and tangible guidance at the beginning of and during pregnancy will have better outcomes.
The researchers compared 182 “Usual Care” women, i.e. women who received routine prenatal care from the Maternity Hospital to 178 women who enrolled in the Healthy Start to Pregnancy Program, a low intensity, behavior modification program. The program consisted of (2) one hour prenatal workshops (one at the start of the program and one midway through) presenting information on healthy nutrition, exercise , information on smoking cessation, information on appropriate weight gain and Breastfeeding education . The women who participated in the program were also given written information to which they could refer. The researchers found that approximately half of the study women completed the study. The researchers found that significantly more women in the study met the prenatal guidelines for consumption of fruits and vegetables and for exercise than women not in the study. The study women were also more likely to be in range for appropriate weight gain. There was not a significant difference between women who quit smoking or intended to breast feed between the study and non-intervention groups.
I believe that studies of this nature are important and highlight some really important habits that we here in the United States need to notice. While most (but not all!) women in the United States have access to good quality prenatal care, just as it was shown here, medical prenatal care alone is not enough to ensure healthy prenatal outcomes. Women need tangible information and as this study shows, having access to support and guidance further enhances outcomes. Many obstetrical offices offer birthing classes and breastfeeding basics. But classes targeted specifically to prenatal nutrition and exercise have significant impact on compliance and on outcomes.
One thing that the researchers noted and I have seen in my practice as well, programs have to be easily accessible so women can participate. Hospital based programs, while often good aren’t always the best venues. Many women get their prenatal care at offices that may be close to work but would prefer to exercise closer to home for example. Other women may only have access to public transportation so they will make the trek to see their health care providers but not necessarily for a fitness or nutrition class. And when I was teaching prenatal fitness, having childcare was a must-especially at morning classes. Now add the twist of women on bed rest and we now need to integrate technology so that ALL mamas can reap the benefits of these proven behavior strategies.
We’re getting there. As awareness of the necessity of behavior modification during pregnancy (and during many other phases of a woman’s life) rises, my hope is that the US medical community will recognize the great benefit of such programs on health and promote more of these programs. As you all know, I am “Pro Action”, working to maintain rather than fix once broken. I believe that if in the US we can adopt a more “Pro-Action” stance, especially as it pertains to pregnancy and prenatal care, we can improve outcomes as well as improve women’s overall pregnancy experiences.
Mamas on Bedrest: Home Stretch Part II-Upper Body
February 1st, 2013Hello Mamas,
In my quest to be ever balanced, I have filmed a short stretch/strength series for an upper body workout. Enjoy!
Mamas on Bedrest: The Home Stretch!
January 28th, 2013As I am easing back into exercising after my bout with the flu, I’ve been amazed at how stiff and deconditioned my body has become after just 4-5 days in bed. This really brought me back into the world of Mamas on Bedrest. Some Mamas on Bedrest spend as much as 18-20 weeks or more on bed rest during their pregnancies. Is it any wonder that many Mamas on Bedrest end up with assisted vaginal deliveries or cesarean sections?
Regardless of the mode of delivery, after a long period of inactivity (or very limited activity) Mamas on Bedrest are going to be plagued with various aches, pains and musculskeletal irregularities as they emerge from their bed rest tenures. In an effort to decrease the physical shock to the body, Bedrest Coach Darline Turner takes mamas through a short lower body stretch. This stretch can be done daily (with consent from your obstetrician or midwife!) and will begin the process of waking up your dormant, deconditioned lower body.
