Castle Personal Training
Castle Personal Training is a Corstorphine, Edinburgh based company who specialise in weightloss/toning and Pre and Post Natal exercise.
Why do I need to have had my 6 weeks post-natal check up before exercising again?
Hi guys,
I was asked the above question by a lady the other day and thought I’d stick it up here as I’d like to be clear to everyone why this check-up has to be done.
The main reason I need to have my clients have had their check-up is because my insurance company won’t cover me if they haven’t, simple as that.
Insurance, just in case.
As most mums will know; the 6 week check-up is virtually useless when it comes to mum’s physical fitness. Don’t get me wrong; it’s beneficial for other things such as diagnosing Post-natal depression and other serious issues so you should really go.
But, as I’ve said before in other blogs, the Post-natal care for moms is horrifically bad in the UK. Just look at the NHS website. It says “Some GP surgeries do not routinely offer a postnatal check.” and, even worse, “There are no set guidelines for what a postnatal check for mothers should involve“.
“However, there are guidelines for your baby’s six- to eight-week check.”.. “You may find that your GP combines the two checks at the same appointment.”
No routinely offered appointment? No set guidelines? Combine it with the examination of your newborn?
Seriously, who on earth thinks this is acceptable? It’s almost like being pregnant and giving birth just isn’t such a big deal.
One of my clients actually had to ask whether the GP could check to see if she had any Diastasis Recti as the GP was only going to check her baby out. GPs in the UK are under tremendous strain, they only have 5-10 minutes per patient, which includes reading up on patient history and typing up notes and all that fun stuff, so you can’t really blame them.
Add to that that GPs are by no means experts on Post-natal exercise, or any exercise for that matter, and it makes you wonder why you think them signing you off for exercise means anything at all.
But we are where we are. You have the appointment and you ask your GP; “So can I now exercise again?” and they, inevitably say something like; “Yes, you’re all good to go.” or, if they’re good, “Just take it easy in the beginning and listen to your body but, yes I don’t see a problem”.
They don’t make clear what you should be doing though. Even the NHS website only shows a 45 minute Youtube clip to a post-natal yoga session. And you know my thoughts on post-natal yoga.
So your GP is not able to qualify what kind of exercise you should do and this is where your Fitness Professional comes in and, as always, some are better than others.
I came across the following blurb the other day, I won’t mention which class provider this was from, “This class is for everybody who has had their 6 week checkup and will help you focus on losing those extra pounds gained during pregnancy”.
For those of you who have read any of my previous blogs you’ll probably hear the alarm bells ringing already.
Focusing on losing those extra pounds gained during pregnancy? Please just go away but that’s not even the biggest issue;
“This class is for everybody who has had their 6 week checkup”
But everybody is completely different 6 weeks after giving birth. There are 4 kinds of Diastasis Recti alone!
Do you think these need the exact same exercises?
And I’m not even talking about all the other issues you can have just after giving birth, or even years after giving birth.
So you know the above blurb is not by a provider that knows what they are talking about and therefore should be avoided like the plague. It is one thing to go to a class that does very little for your body and fitness when you’re 100% healthy but post-natal you need to take a bit more care of yourself as your body can be badly damaged by doing the wrong things.
Please get your check-up from your GP, make sure you get them to check you as well as your baby, and then go see someone who knows what they’re talking about when it comes to post-natal exercise.
Here’s an exciting update; From January 2019 we’re launching healthypostnatalbody.com A big online resource full of exercises and circuits to help you heal your Diastsis Recti, improve your posture and help heal, and prevent, back and neck pain. We also have 2 forums, one for expert post-natal exercise advice and a forum where members can support eachother and share practical tips. And, the best news, it’s only $10 a month after a free 30 day trial.
Take care,
Peter
Castle Personal Training 