Day 38 The fourth class of CER 549FR Maternity Wellness

Today was the fourth class for Maternity Wellness. In the third trimester (28-40 weeks), a pregnancy’s belly may be about two-thirds of its size, but the baby still has a lot of growing to do. During this period, it is possible that labor may come earlier or later. As the pregnancy’s body adjusts to their growing baby, the core four muscles may become overstretched. There are pregnancy belts that can help with managing the weight of the growing tummy. With the increased demands, pregnant may find their energy levels faltering, so make sure to take time to listen to the body and rest. However, it is also important to try to maintain consistency with the exercise routine. Try to do at least some exercise most days of the week. Any form of physical activity is good whether it’s going to the pool, the weight room, or getting outdoors. The goal during this trimester is to focus on getting the body ready for delivery by adding exercises that aid pregnancy in their labor and birth routine. Around the 36th week of pregnancy, women may notice that their belly is lower as the baby lowers into the pelvis. This phenomenon is known as lightning. According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately one in four women are likely to undergo a cesarean section for the delivery of their babies. While a c section may be a common procedure for delivery, it is still considered major surgery. With any major surgery such as a c-section, there could be risks and complications. In order to mitigate post-surgical complications, pre-habilitation or pre-operative exercise is recommended to improve an individual’s fitness level, so that her body is better able to cope with neuro-endocrine stress. For women that are healthy enough to participate in the exercise, a pre-operative personalized fitness program could aid them in preparing their bodies for the stresses of a cesarean.