In the first trimester of pregnancy, we are all about preventing and preparing our body for the changes to come. But by the second trimester, we are seeing and feeling all the changes. Therefore, we shift our focus to MODIFY and MAINTAIN. Doctors of Physical Therapy are great resources to help you maintain your health, fitness, and wellness as well as to help you identify areas that need modification and achieve a solution that works best for you and your baby!
As your body and mind continue to change during the second trimester and the reality of your new bundle of joy begins to set in, it is important to focus on maintaining your own fitness and wellness. Your body cannot be expected to grow or take care of a baby well if it is not well — mentally, physically, emotionally. A physical therapist can help you create good habits with exercise, sleep, diet, and even toilet routines to help maintain your fitness and wellness while going through this rollercoaster of changes. Maintaining fitness and wellness can provide more energy, less discomfort, and less complications throughout your pregnancy.
Modification may be the most important aspect of this time period because as your body changes, the way you do things must change too. Modifying your sleeping arrangements may happen early in the second trimester to avoid putting too much pressure on your belly if you’re a stomach sleeper like me and to avoid back sleeping as this can compress your inferior vena cava and alter the blood flow to the heart and to the baby. A PT can help to recommend pregnancy pillows and bed set up to allow for the most safe and restful sleep.
You may need to modify the way that you are doing your job if it requires a significant amount of bending, lifting, twisting, or physical activity. Except in cases of complications with your pregnancy, continuing to do your regular job including physically demanding tasks is not unsafe while pregnant. In fact, there would be no way that second-time mothers could exist if you truly had to stop doing all these tasks. A physical therapist can help you work on safe ways to modify these physically demanding tasks to allow you to continue to function in your new body without putting your body or baby at risk.
You will need to modify your exercise routine to maintain safety for your body and the baby. A physical therapist can help to modify your exercise routine to stay within a safe realm for you and baby. We can alter positions to allow you to work the same muscles without putting too much strain on the vulnerable areas of the body. And we can help to modify the focus of your regular exercise routine to not only maintain your fitness but help to prepare your body for the demands that lie ahead.
Other areas of modification may include wardrobe and footwear. A physical therapist can help you to choose clothing and footwear that promotes blood flow, reduces swelling, eliminates pain, increases support, and provides comfort.
If you are in need of a helping hand when it comes to modifying or maintaining, call Life Changes Physical Therapy today and let us be your partner in a healthier and happier pregnancy!