Return to Exercise Postpartum in Farmington, Ferndale, and Detroit

Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle after giving birth. Postpartum exercise has been proven to be beneficial for women at all stages of life.

There are numerous advantages to engaging in postpartum exercise:

  • Helps tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles
  • Boosts your energy levels
  • May aid in preventing postpartum depression
  • Improves the quality of your sleep
  • Relieves stress
  • Can assist in shedding any extra weight gained during pregnancy

Becoming a mother comes with its own set of challenges, and navigating the vast amount of information on postpartum exercise available online can be overwhelming. Let’s discuss how to reintroduce exercise into your routine after childbirth.

When is the right time to start exercising?

The ideal approach is to gradually ease back into exercise based on your physical abilities. It is generally recommended to resume pre-pregnancy exercises around six weeks after delivery, taking into account the ongoing physiological and morphological changes that occur during pregnancy.

For women who underwent a cesarean delivery, most doctors advise waiting for approximately eight weeks before returning to pre-pregnancy exercise. During this period, it is crucial to allow the abdominal incisions to heal. The primary focus for the first six weeks of exercise should be personal time and regaining control. Our program is designed to:

(1) Start slowly and gradually increase your pace.
(2) Avoid excessive fatigue and dehydration.
(3) Provide support and compression for the breasts and abdomen.
(4) Stop and assess if any pain is experienced.

If an exercise feels good, it likely is. This emphasizes the importance of listening to and understanding your body. We can modify the exercises to alleviate pain and keep you on the right track if you experience muscle soreness.

The goal for the remainder of the postpartum period is to improve your physical fitness and overall well-being. It is recommended that postpartum women obtain medical clearance before starting an exercise program. It is also important to proceed slowly and progress gradually, while maintaining adequate fluid intake. Our team of specialists can guide you through the process of returning to exercise after childbirth.

Guidelines for Exercising Postpartum in Livonia, Ferndale, and Detroit

During the first six weeks after delivery:

Our program aims to promote relaxation and enhance your well-being during the initial six weeks after birth. Our team will provide support and guidance throughout the process to ensure your exercise program suits your needs. We will monitor the following aspects during this phase:

  • How the exercise makes you feel
  • Any pain or bleeding experienced
  • Adequate fluid intake
  • Sufficient rest

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor your own progress during and after your workout. Ask yourself these questions: Do you feel tired after exercising? Are you experiencing any pain? Do you feel stiff?

Six weeks and beyond:

During this period, it is crucial to monitor your performance and assess whether you might be overtraining or undertraining. Self-monitoring on a weekly basis is recommended. Key points of assessment include discomfort, pain, and performance.

We will assist you in setting goals and creating a plan that suits your new life as a mom. It is essential to establish realistic goals and incorporate exercises that encompass all aspects of physical activity, including cardiovascular strengthening, stretching, and overall well-being. To avoid injuries and burnout, maintaining a balanced exercise program is vital.

We offer a personalized approach to determine the sports or exercises that are suitable for you. It is important to find an activity that you enjoy and would like to return to. We can help track your performance to determine the appropriate intensity level.

Start Exercising Again in Livonia, Ferndale, and Detroit

To resume your exercise routine, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our skilled pelvic and physical therapists after giving birth. If you encounter any discomfort, weakness, or urinary incontinence, it is important to undergo further evaluation. Contact us today to book a consultation, and we will provide the guidance and support you need to achieve your postpartum exercise goals.

Guidelines For Exercising Postpartum

Six weeks after delivery:

The goal of our program in the first six weeks after birth is to promote relaxation, and improve wellbeing. Our team will be with you every step of the way to ensure your exercise program is working for you. Some of the things that we will monitor during the first six weeks:

  • How the exercise makes you feel
  • Pain or bleeding
  • Fluid intake
  • Adequate Rest

Also, you should continue to monitor your own progress during and after your workout. You should ask yourself these questions: Are you tired after your workout? Are you feeling pain? Are you feeling stiffer?

Six weeks on:

The most important concerns during this period are monitoring performance and assessing whether there is over or under-training, they recommend self-monitoring every week. The key assessment points include discomfort, pain and performance.

We will help you identify goals and create a plan that fits your new life as a Mom. It may be necessary to set realistic goals and create exercise programs that cover all aspects of physical activity (cardiovascular strengthening, stretching, and well-being). To avoid injury and burnout, it is essential to have a balanced exercise program.

We provide a personal process to determine what sports or exercises you participate in. It is important to find an activity that you love and would like to return to. We can help track your performance to determine the right intensity.

Get Started

To get back into an exercise routine, schedule a consultation with our qualified pelvic and physical therapists after delivery. Further evaluation should be done if you experience any pain, weakness or urinary incontinence. Call us today to schedule a consultation and we will help you achieve your postpartum exercise goals.

Request An Appointment

Please fill out this form and we will contact you about scheduling.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Frank B.

“Very professional, using all the latest techniques to achieve full range of motion.  Highly satisfied with my PT.”

Kara L.

“Kurtis is very knowledgeable and always helpful to answer any questions you might have. Definitely recommend him – you will be in good hands.” 

Concussion Care
------------------------------
CUPPING
------------------------------
DRY NEEDLING
------------------------------
GOLF REHAB & TRAINING
------------------------------
MOVEMENT SCREENING
------------------------------
ORTHOPEDIC THERAPY
------------------------------
PEDIATRIC THERAPY
------------------------------
PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY
------------------------------

Physical Therapy
------------------------------
RUNNING CLINIC
------------------------------
SPORTS REHABILITATION
------------------------------
TPI
------------------------------
VESTIBULAR THERAPY
------------------------------
WOMEN'S HEALTH
------------------------------
WORKSITE INJURY SOLUTIONS
------------------------------
>>> More Services

BACK PAIN & SCIATICA
----------------------------
BOWEL AND BLADDER DYSFUNCTION
----------------------------
ELBOW, WRIST & HAND PAIN
----------------------------
FOOT & ANKLE PAIN
----------------------------
HIP & KNEE PAIN
----------------------------
POSTPARTUM RECOVERY

REHAB FOR RUNNERS
----------------------------
RETURN TO EXERCISE POSTPARTUM
----------------------------
RUNNING POSTPARTUM
----------------------------
SHOULDER PAIN
----------------------------
TMJ / TMD
----------------------------
>>> More Conditions