I am a bit of a worrier and generally like to research and be more than prepared. After I got married and when we started doing preconception planning, I spent a lot of time researching and finding out about pre and postnatal care. Researching and implementing them really helped me to feel confident and empowered.
For self-care, a lot of it came from fitness. As a pilates instructor, I did pilates throughout both my pregnancies, including gentle movement in the first trimester, followed by pilates and gyrotonic two to three times a week as my energy levels improved in the second and third trimesters. I also did a lot of core work to keep my core engaged throughout pregnancy, which helped me recover faster postpartum and to regain my strength. I continued teaching pilates up to the 40th week of my pregnancy!
My main aim was not to gain strength or promote weight loss. Instead, it was to preserve muscle mass. I also made sure to eat at least 100g of protein a day during pregnancy and postpartum.
What else did you do for pre and postnatal care?
One thing I did consistently was to check on my nutrition levels throughout pregnancy. This included vitamin D, B12, calcium, iron, etc. Protein helped maintain my muscle mass and also kept me feeling full and satiated, my blood sugar levels healthy, and helped the baby grow! During both my pregnancies, I also did IV iron infusion early to prepare for labour and postpartum recovery.
Additionally, I am a huge believer in the TCM concept of confinement and followed it strictly. I did bathe though, making sure to dry my hair thoroughly! Beyond that, I also got regular bodywork adjustments such as massages and chiropractic treatment as well during my pregnancy and postpartum.
As an instructor who specialises in pre and postnatal fitness, what is one thing you’ve noticed about the mums you’ve worked with?
Mums always put themselves second. This is because any mum would be willing to do anything and sacrifice many things for their children. But we often forget that the most important thing we can do is look after ourselves.
Our bodies are the vessels within which our child will grow during the prenatal period. Poor fitness and poor nutrition will directly impact the child.
Another thing is that people also think that prenatal care is just medical care. However, there is so much more to it than just going to see the obstetricians and gynaecologists (OB-GYN), doing the ultrasound, and taking your vitamins! The nutritional, fitness, and emotional aspects often get forgotten.
Postnatal care also does not end when your OB-GYN discharges you. The body changes over nine months to accommodate the baby and it will take time for it to return to the physiological state of not being pregnant. During that time, there will be physical, mental, and emotional changes. Proper postnatal care includes dealing with these changes.
