BED REST AND EXERCISE, WHAT?

What?, I thought you could not exercise when you have been prescribed to pregnancy bedrest. NOT TRUE says leading expert in the field, Darline Turner-Lee. I am a huge advocate for movement, if for no other reason than to make you feel better, feel human. Lord knows pregnancy takes its toll and healthy pregnant women have options. They can perform regular modified workouts throughout pregnancy, but what if you have been prescribed bedrest. Your once active body, told to sit in a bed until your baby is born. Loosing muscle tone (needed post partum), slowing circulation, and generally feeling helpless. This is what most obstetricians will lead you to believe about pregnancy bedrest. Today I want to introduce a guest blogger Darline Turner-Lee, she has some ground breaking information regarding pregnancy exercise and bedrest. I was struck by her right away when I met her, I am very excited to have her posting on Baby Bump Pregnancy Fitness. Pregnant women on bedrest- you do have options.

Darline
Hi My name is Darline Turner-Lee and I am a physician assistant, clinical exercise
specialist, certified perinatal fitness instructor and the owner of Bedrest Comfort & Care.
My company provides resources and services to pregnant women on prescribed bed rest.
The company developed as a result of the success of my fitness DVD, Bedrest Fitness.
This DVD is a set of safe and effective modified prenatal exercises designed specifically for pregnant women on prescribed bed rest.

Movement and strength training are very important for women on bed rest as physical activity helps women labor and deliver (vaginally) more effectively and to have the strength and stamina to care for themselves and their newborns in the early post partum and beyond. According to data released in 2007 from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)women who are immobile for just 60 days lose nearly 25% of their muscle mass and up to half of their muscle strength. Pregnant women on bed rest are also at increased risk of developing
blood clots in their legs which could travel to their lungs, heart, or brain and be fatal. The NASA study noted that as little as 40 minutes of movement daily can stop these negative effects and avoid potential health risks. This is equal to just 2% of the time that they spend in bed during a 60 day period!

One day there may not be a need to put pregnant women on prescribed bed rest. But until we have other options, Bedrest Fitness is available to help keep a woman healthy and strong.



Darline Turner-Lee

Physician Assistant, ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist, Health Care Writer

Next Step Fitness, Inc and Bedrest Comfort & Care

6705 Hwy. 290 West, Ste 502 #283, Austin, TX 78735

www.nextstepfitness.com

www.mamasonbedrest.com

darline@nextstepfitness.com

darline@mamasonbedrest.com

512-288-0827

Thanks Darline that was a great information session. Mamas on Bedrest fills a much needed gap in the fitness industry giving pregnant women prescribed to bedrest fitness options. To check out some of Darline's exercises and her new DVD visit MOMS
ON BEDREST.

Cesarian Birth

You may have a planned Cesarean section birth or even an unplanned one waiting to happen. 30% or births are c-sections and on the rise. To get the jump on recovery you can start performing your pelvic floor kegal exercises now. After a cesarean birth your recovery time will be longer. Walking is suggested for the first 2 weeks, but if you are feeling nauseous or light headed or pulling in your incision it's time to stop. After consulting with your doctor around 6 weeks post partum you may want to start a slightly more intense program with transverse abdominus and more kegal work.

You do not need to wait until your post partum days, you can perform pelvic floor and transverse abdominus work now. Slightly draw in a tense your abdominals while pregnant for transverse work. This will benefit all pregnant women and mothers, but if you are having a c-section this can help with your recovery.

Mother of the Year

Check out this video, it is the funniest thing I have seen in a while. MOTHER OF THE YEAR
Happy Mothers Day

Jacqueline

Pregnancy Exercise May Increase Baby IQ

ARTICLE
MOTHERS who exercise during pregnancy are helping to boost their child’s IQ, according to research by American psychologists. "Exercising large muscle groups increases the growth of neurons and adds to the blood supply of the brain,” writes Nisbett, a psychologist.

This is an easy read take a look for yourself, interesting approach.