Oh Baby! Fitness is pretty darn lucky to have an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from “Mom Hacks” – the new book that is on shelves TODAY – by Dr. Darria Gillespie. Mom Hacks is full of 100+ science-backed shortcuts to reclaim your body, raise awesome kids and be unstoppable! There’s a huge section of hacks on how to get moving, to make exercise fun and ways to get the whole family exercising.
It’s no secret that pregnancy and the delivery of a baby does a number on a woman’s body. From stretch marks and weight gain to changes in complexion and even hair loss, your postpartum appearance can leave you feeling like a completely different person, especially in the bedroom. Whether you’re feeling self-conscious about your physical experience or your hormones are killing your sex drive, keep reading for some steps you can take to regain your sexual confidence postpartum.
This was me in 2004. I was in the pit of postpartum depression. Funny thing about depression, you don’t realize you have it when you’re going through it. You’re at the bottom of a hole and nothing makes sense. Being responsible for a new life only makes the hole deeper. It was a BAD place for me and my baby.
Guest Post: We are thrilled to have Melissa Baudo Marchetti share her wisdom and experience about physical therapy and the postpartum period. Calling all moms! Have you recently had a baby or have been a mom for a while
According to new research, exercising during and after pregnancy reduces the risk of getting depression. Simply walking with a stroller can ease symptoms.
*Studies tracked almost 1,000 mothers who were offered different exercise programs
*Exercises included aerobic activity, Pilates and yoga
*Researchers found those who exercised had fewer depression symptoms after birth
*1 in 9 women suffer from postpartum depression – the most common complication after childbirth. (CDC)
I recently came across a social media post stating “Halt the Kegels!” It went on to say that pregnant women should not be doing Kegel exercises (pelvic floor contractions) and was followed by a long comment thread re-affirming this statement. As a Physical Therapist who specializes in pelvic health I am blown away by this linear and absolute way of thinking. Knowing what your pelvic floor does, and learning how to contract it and release it is INTEGRAL to a healthy pregnancy, delivery and recovery.
Oh Baby! Fitness is in Reader’s Digest! They asked owner Kathleen Donahoe for her best tips for exercise after baby (and she accidentally told a slightly embarrassing story about her husband– ha!). Check it out for 8 tricks to sneaking
Oh Baby! Fitness co-owner Kathleen Donahoe was recently interviewed by Happy Babies Parent Education about postpartum recovery—specifically cores and floors (pelvic ones, that is!)
Often clients will take one or two Oh Baby! Fitness classes a week, but ask what they can be doing in between classes to stay in shape. I’ve been teaching a mom and baby fitness class for the last few weeks and decided to offer “homework” to the class. It was completely optional, but a number of moms have taken me up on it and have said they can see and feel a real difference in their fitness level.
How quickly will I lose weight the baby weight?
Just as weight gain happens at different rates during pregnancy, weight loss has different paces for different women. 9 months on , 9 months off is a good rule of thumb— not 9 months on and back in your skinny jeans at 2 months! If your baby is 9 months old and you still have weight to lose we recommend a combination of exercise and healthy diet to lose the last few pounds.
How soon can I exercise after baby?