Never Mind Baby Brain, Mind The Gap

September 3, 2015 by Keri from The Baby Project

Never Mind Baby Brain, Mind The Gap

Motherhood brings us many incredible gifts- those tiny fingers wrapped around ours, those first smiles, THAT BABY SMELL, mmmmm.

And whilst we may have a new found respect for our bodies, there are some unwelcome consequences of pregnancy that most of us would choose to be without- that 4 month post birth hair loss, the fact that we will never sleep as soundly ever again, the ongoing baby brain, and THE MUMMY TUMMY.

If you read my post a couple of weeks ago, you'll know I am a victim of a lingering baby bump (my 'baby' is 2y3m old). Working with the pregnant women of Leigh on Sea, I know I am not alone in my concerns. Of course it's partly about the look, (and resulting social awkwards) but also how we feel.

Thankfully, help is at hand. So if you are concerned about your core, throw yourself at the feet of postnatal guru Jade West.

Jade is founder of West Pilates Postnatal, a fresh approach to postnatal recovery that allows you to meet other new mums, and bring your baby along too (BIG WIN- no childcare stress).

Jade has this to say....

All women will experience some degree of abdominal stretching/separation during pregnancy. The abdominals separate because the connective tissues holding them together stretch to accommodate the growing baby and due to the hormonal influences of relaxin.

Some abdominals will separate to a point that mean they can’t work properly (diastasis recti). From an aesthetic point of view many women still appear to be pregnant with a firm to touch protruding middle, but if these muscles aren’t working properly you are also more likely to experience back pain, poor posture and pelvic floor issues.

Do not worry you are not doomed to a life of heavy duty underwear to hold you in and with the right guidance and exercises you can expect to see improvements, but here are a few DO’s and DON’TS

DO

• Get your abdominals checked before starting any fitness regime
• Postnatal specific exercises until you have regained strength and core control
• Give your body time to heal
• Eat well to heal well
  
  

DON’T

• Do sit ups or crunches - there are a thousand more effective exercises you could choose
• Assume dieting will rid you of your mummy tummy
• Return to high impact/intensity exercise until your core is restored

For more info, visit www.westpilatespostnatal.co.uk