Pregnancy is a transformational experience for both the body and the mind. Hormone levels begin to go back to normal after birth but it is a slow process and can have some negative side effects, including mood swings, irritability and feelings of anxiety. The worst-case scenario is postnatal depression, characterised by these side effects alongside negative thoughts and poor sleep. Exercise however is mood enhancing and evidence shows can alleviate depression.
The benefit of exercise to help you restore physical health after the trauma pregnancy and childbirth can put on the body is widely known, but it also offers numerous benefits to your mental health including improving low mood and sleep quality – absolute musts when you have had a baby. Physically improving stamina levels through exercise can help a postnatal mother to cope with the particular demands of early motherhood.
The mental health benefits of joining a Buggyfit class are even greater than this. It gives you the chance to be sociable and meet other women who are going through the same thing. This offers a much-valued support as well as a morale boost, which can only help you, feel better about the postnatal experience – and you get the chance to bring your baby along in the buggy making it much easier for you to have some much needed time to focus on YOU.
Our specifically trained pre and postnatal instructors, design their classes to suit all stages of pregnancy and post birth, including exercises that suit you and your recovering body.
What is most important to remember when beginning classes after birth is that you need to listen to your body and not to return to exercise until you feel strong enough and recovered after both vaginal, and Caesarean section deliveries. This point is different for each Mother, so it is fine to decide when you are ready.
Your body will require time to heal and starting too early could set back your recovery journey. We believe 6 weeks to be an ideal start point and any walking prior to that will be incredibly beneficial.
Our biggest tip, from Mother to mother is to always leave yourself a little energy left and not exercise to exhaustion. Our classes will enable you to do that whilst building your strength through progressive exercise sessions.
