10TV: Getting Strength Back After Pregnancy

For new mothers, pregnancy and delivery is something they’ve been planning and preparing for for months. But what many moms can overlook is what happens after they leave the hospital, especially when it comes to healing and exercise. How can new mothers balance both?

Finding a healthy way to build strength back to what it was before pregnancy is no simple task, but the key is to gently ease yourself into a routine that’s comfortable for you.

“Even just start doing some simple yoga stretching, some core work to strengthen your abdominal muscles, and that can be hard if someone’s muscles have been stretched with the process of pregnancy; sometimes it’s a little bit harder to get your core strength back,” Anita Somani, MD , an OB/GYN with Comprehensive Women's Care told 10TV reporter Molly Brewer in a recent video.

Many moms aren’t prepared for how much their bodies change throughout pregnancy, and a fitness routine you had established from before delivery may not work for your body afterwards.

“You need to say, ‘You know what? It takes nine months to get back to where you were when you started your pregnancy,’” said Dr. Somani. “So, I think we often times put all these expectations on ourselves and that’s not helpful.”

Light, low-impact exercise extends beyond physical well-being to help improve mental health, relieve stress and combat post-partum depression. Even something as simple as going for a walk can be impactful.

“I think everyone who exercises would tell you that when you exercise, you actually feel like you get more energy afterwards and it’s the same thing during pregnancy when women are saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m exhausted, I’m nauseous," said Dr. Somani.

No matter what you decide, exercise in any shape or form is going to make a positive impact

To learn more about women’s health at OhioHealth, click here.

To watch the full story from 10TV and see how their chief meteorologist, Ashlee Baracy is bouncing back after her own pregnancy, click on the station logo below.