Effective postpartum exercise in the weeks following childbirth helps a new mother’s body specifically strengthen the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles. The pelvic floor was put under immense strain during both pregnancy and childbirth. This increases the risk of complications such as incontinence and uterine prolapse. To counteract this, new mothers begin postpartum exercise soon after giving birth to support their bodies as best as possible following the immense physical strain of the past weeks and months. Postpartum exercise in the weeks following childbirth helps a woman’s body recover and strengthens her muscles.
Supporting the Pelvic Floor After Childbirth
Even though it may be hard for a new mother to imagine right after giving birth, she’ll soon feel fresh and energetic again—and she won’t look pregnant for the rest of her life. Her belly will shrink again, and her body will release hormones that help with postpartum recovery. But unfortunately, that’s not enough! The overstretched pelvic floor muscles need additional support in the form of effective postpartum exercises in the weeks following childbirth.
Three factors contribute to a quick and healthy return to your pre-pregnancy body:
- Time
- a healthy diet
- physical activity
But new mothers shouldn’t be too impatient. It took nine months for the little one to grow inside the womb. The body had time to gradually adjust to the new circumstances. Now it’s important to give the body enough time to return to its former shape. Postpartum exercise accelerates this process and helps prevent unpleasant incontinence and other conditions resulting from pelvic floor weakness.
Postpartum Exercise Classes in the Weeks Following Childbirth
Postpartum recovery classes are widely available throughout Austria. With the help of your midwife, you can find like-minded women in your area who meet once a week to strengthen their pelvic floors together. Of course, it’s important to do the exercises you’ve learned regularly at home as well. But sports like inline skating also promote postpartum recovery and strengthen the pelvic floor. A major advantage of rollerblading is that the support provided by the stroller makes it easy to combine with a walk. Mother and child enjoy the first few weeks together in the great outdoors, and the mother gets back into shape and regains her former fitness along the way.
