PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM

Are you trying to conceive? Newly pregnant? Hugely pregnant? Postpartum? Or somewhere in between? 

Real talk,  have you thought about having a women's health physical therapist on your team of healthcare providers??

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If you haven't, I'm so glad you've stopped by here. I'd love to walk you through just a few of the ways I support women through each season. 

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Trying To Conceive: ​

This is the most ideal phase to get a PT on your team. Some of the things we look at are helping you to establish baseline fitness level, current routines, evaluate level of strength, address mobility limitations (if any) while also assessing previous pain or restrictions. The more healthy you are, the more fit you are, the more physically ready you are, the better your outcomes are for your overall response to pregnancy. Not only that, your preconception health really does influence postpartum resilience as well! So this is definitely one area that we can absolutely get you and your body on the right track in creating a health and stable environment for baby to grow in. 

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Early Pregnancy: 

While honoring all the early onset of symptoms (some definitely experience more than others), we establish healthy and safe routines that honor and support your body. This training not only focuses on present needs in pregnancy, but also training with future support needs in mind. Exercise, running, lifting and other forms of exercise are safe during pregnancy (for most populations) and are all things we talk about on our first visit together! 

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Mid to Late Pregnancy: 

This is a very busy phase during our time together. We will go over a lot of eduction about the appropriate time to regress your exercise routine, dial back on the intensity, frequency and when to shift to a heavier emphasis on mobility. Also during this phase we begin to prepare you, your body, your pelvis and pelvic floor for birth. Preparing for birth rarely gets the attention it deserves, but that's something we get to focus on during mid-to-late pregnancy window. 

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Postpartum:

Let me begin by stating that postpartum is a continuum that never really ends. Giving birth (whatever that looks like) does change us - physically, mentally, emotionally, and structurally. This doesn't have to be a negative. We don't have to "get back to our old body." There's still a beautiful horizon ahead that holds greatness for you, and many times - that can look even healthier than you ever were before! 

But getting back on track, this is such an underserved season for women. So much of the focus goes to babies, and it's easy to forget self. HOWEVER, that's where I come in. You care for baby, I'll care for you. This starts from the moment you give birth. Hopefully we have had a chance to work together to prepare for this season, but if not, I'm still stoked for the opportunity to support you! In the early days this can look like an in-home assessment & visit to make sure you are set up the best you can be to support your body while you feed life into your new little one. We look at sleeping set up, changing station, main living area, general mechanics, early breathing techniques, gentle mobility that is safe to begin and so much more. With mindfulness to healing, pelvic floor changes, and ongoing changes that will continue to occur during this next season, together we set the pace you're most comfortable with for your recovery. I will walk you through each progression of exercise and healing with ongoing support. As you begin to make strides in your recovery we begin training into progressive overload which will prepare you to return to full exercise routines, sports or whatever your goals are (even if it's just keeping up with your kids).

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Final Thoughts: 

There are many twists and turns along the way in which we can/will absolutely pivot in ways that safely honor you and baby during these long seasons. Aches, pains, discomforting pregnancy symptoms are normal and natural, however there are absolutely things we can do to prevent, decrease severity, manage and sometimes avoid altogether with the right approach. If this sounds like something you want to add to your prenatal/postnatal journey, I would LOVE TO CONNECT! 

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- Dr. Jill 

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