role of exercise during and after pregnancy

[sharileedahl]

Thanks for all the links. I look forward to going through these over the next few days...

Being a therapist who "just" had a baby (11 months ago), I thought I was physically well-prepared for this whole change. I am the self-declared pelvic floor queen (haha)!! BUT I have realized there are some definite mechanical changes.....I have had much more difficulty with my return to running this year than any other year (I only ever run in the spring and summer...refuse to run in the winter!!).
Also, when I was pregnant I was really worried about how much exercise was too much. I took out the sports that posed the risk of falls and activities that were strenuous but kept up with hiking, walking. My friends thought I was SOOOO active throughout my pregnancy but for me, I lost alot in terms of my fitness level.
The physicians in my area give all their expectant mothers a package of information re. nutrition, breastfeeding, etc etc. I am going to be working with the physicians to develop recommendations re. safe options for exercise (mostly pre-natal) to add to this package. This interest area for me really came from seeing how difficult it was to find appropriate information on exercise and the resultant fear that I had that anything I did would hurt this developing fetus (yes, motherhood seems to be full of fear and guilt!!!haha)

Anyway, found out about the following group while at a conference last year:
Sport C.A.R.E.
Sport Centre for Advanced Research and Education
Women’s College Hospital
(416) 323-7527
I got some information from them (handouts that they give expectant mothers) as a starting point. Attached are the exercise guidlines that they developed as well as a resource list (books mostly).
Thanks.