Regeneration after pregnancy is so much more than just shedding unnecessary weight and strength training. It’s about ergonomics and regaining neuromuscular control. This allows muscles and the nervous system to work in a coordinated manner, making sure your body moves in the most efficient and safest way.

Assessing and addressing pelvic floor muscle deficits or imbalances can help prevent a multitude of problems. Postnatal issues can include incontinence, pain with intercourse or a heavy dragging feeling in the vagina. It is vital to have a check up before returning to heavier workouts, such as running, crossfit, step aerobic or other exercises including jumping. A full body assessment includes assessment of your breathing pattern. Breathing often changes due to the baby occupying space and decreasing the diaphram’s and ribcage’s ability to move through full range of motion. The assessment and treatment also includes abdominal activation, strength and coordination testing and development. This helps in decreasing the onset or intensity of low back pain and improves abdominal muscle tone (decreasing the pregnant belly look). Addressing abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) is a staple part of postnatal physiotherapy.

It is important that the physical tasks specific to motherhood be done in an ergonomically correct way. This prevents excess strain on joints and ligaments. It is useful to check how you pick up and carry your baby, how you usually change diapers, and what positions you breastfeed in and so on.