How can a women’s health exercise physiologist help prepare me for birth?

1. If you have never exercised before or its been a while we are the best versed professionals to guide you through the best way to begin. Beginning to exercise in pregnancy can be a bit daunting, however the evidence shows how beneficial it is to having a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

2. Strength and endurance training. For an active birth you need to have strong muscles which can last the endurance of labour. We aim to strengthen the entire body to help prepare you for this.

3. Pelvic floor and core training. As exercise physiologists we help you learn how to engage and relax your pelvic floor and core with movement. Being able to do this is going to help with the process of birth as a baby comes through your pelvic floor. Learning how to relax this muscle is especially important in your last trimester.

4. Optimal positioning. There are specific exercises and stretches which allow bub to have more space and get into an optimal position for birth. We can guide you through these too!

5. Mentally, pushing yourself through hard/uncomfortable exercise is somewhat similar (not quite the same intensity!)to labour and birth. If your mind is trained to push itself a little more than it is comfortable with, this can help with your birth mindset.