by Julie Anne Van Veenendaal
Pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful, life-altering and body-changing experiences. It is a time of excitement, anticipation, and wonder, but it can also be a time of physical discomfort, anxiety, and stress. Fortunately, there are many ways to support your body and mind during this time. One of the most effective is through movement.
I talk about movement rather than exercise on purpose. Many of us have complicated relationships with exercise, whether it’s due to negative experiences in the past or a general sense of pressure to perform. Movement, on the other hand, can be anything that involves the body in a gentle, nourishing way. When we approach movement as a way to support our wellbeing, movement becomes a way for us to cultivate confidence and a way to support our sense of everyday wellbeing.
Movement During Pregnancy
Movement during pregnancy can help alleviate pregnancy-related aches and pains, including back and pelvic pain. It can also help prepare your body for labor and delivery, as well as building up the strength required for childcare. Movement practices that emphasize the use of breath, such as yoga and Pilates, not only aid with stress relief and relaxation while you move, but can also give you a useful tool for childbirth.
Prenatal Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise for pregnant women, as it emphasizes mobility, strength, and alignment, which are particularly important during pregnancy. Other forms of movement that can be beneficial during pregnancy include yoga, swimming, and walking but just about every form of exercise can be adapted during pregnancy. Find something you enjoy and feel confident doing.
Movement After Childbirth
Movement is just as important after childbirth, and it can be an essential part of self-care. A regular movement practice postpartum can help you with your pelvic floor, improve diastasis recti, strengthen and energize your whole body and help you to feel more at home in your changed body. Movement can help not just with physical recovery but can also improve mood and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
When it comes to movement past-partum be kind to yourself; your body and your life have changed. It may take a while to get back to what you were doing before pregnancy or you may decide that another approach to movement may be more supportive of your wellbeing at this point in your life. It is about finding something that is sustainable for you and that supports your sense of wellbeing.
Building Mind-Body Connection
One of the most important benefits of movement during pregnancy and then postpartum is the way it encourages you to build a deeper connection with your body. By practicing mindful movement and paying attention to your breath and posture, you can develop a greater awareness of your physical and emotional needs.
Engaging in regular movement during pregnancy and postpartum can be incredibly beneficial for you. Creating space for yourself to build mind-body connection and approach movement with curiosity can help you feel stronger and more confident to navigate the journey of motherhood.
Julie Anne xxx
Julie Anne van Veenendaal is an Occupational Therapist and Pilates Instructor based in Wembley, Pietermaritzburg. She holds a supportive space for people to explore movement and nurture their sense of everyday wellbeing. You can find out more about her work at www.returntolife.co.za or connect with her on instagram @returntolifetherapy.
Movement for Wellness
