Category Archives: pregnancy

Pregnancy Massage: positioning

By | |
Leave a comment

Your top priority when coming for a pregnancy massage is likely to be that you want a relaxing experience. Plus, if you are experiencing specific aches and pains you are surely going to want those to be eased with a thoroughly good hands on treatment. The good news is, you will get all of that in a pregnancy massage with us. For me, as the massage therapist, my aims are to give you that relaxation and space to breathe, alleviate your discomfort and high on my list of priorities is to keep you and your baby safe. A massage treatment always … Continue reading →

P is for Pelvic Floor

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Your pelvic floor is a hammock or sling of muscles found in the base of your pelvis. Our pelvic floor supports the bowel, bladder and in women, the uterus, all the while, playing a role in supporting the spine. The combined forces of the pelvic floor muscles form a supporting mechanism for the pelvic viscera from below – imagine interlocked fingers cradling a bowl. This hammock of muscles also interacts with the diaphragm when the abdominal pressure inside changes – as happens when we breathe. Breathing can be affected by a weak pelvic floor, possibly contributing to dysfunctional breathing patterns. We … Continue reading →

Pregnancy Fitness with Zoe

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Pregnancy Fitness with Zoe

Around six months ago I learnt the delightful news that Zoe, a friend from the Glossopdale Harriers running club, was expecting her first baby. As we chatted I could tell she was 100% committed to keeping herself active and healthy throughout her pregnancy. She made the decision to be proactive in her approach to pregnancy fitness, and to be honest, I wouldn’t expect anything less from her. I was delighted to have her on board for Pregnancy Fitness. Zoe is a regular runner both socially and competitively, and was up for trying anything that would make pregnancy more comfortable and the birth … Continue reading →

Exercise & Breastfeeding

By | | ,
Comments Off on Exercise & Breastfeeding

A common concern for new mums is whether returning to exercise will have a negative effect on breast milk. Good news – there’s no evidence to support a detrimental effect from exercise. Once you’ve received the go-ahead to exercise safely from your doctor or midwife (and been checked for a tummy gap – see below*) there’s no reason to stay on the sofa. In fact, the benefits that come from exercise are immeasurable (improved mood, better sleep and energy, time for you – to name a few). You’ll need to find the best time for you and baby to exercise – most women … Continue reading →

Preconception Fitness

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Preconception Fitness

We believe that there is no better time to take control of your physical and mental health than when you are considering getting pregnant.   Undertaking regular exercise can go a long way towards ensuring normal conception and a healthy, happy pregnancy. If you are healthy then there’s a good chance your eggs will be too, and your womb will be in the best condition to receive the egg and lead to a viable pregnancy. And don’t just think preconception fitness is only for the woman – men need to be producing healthy sperm – making babies is a two person thing! Being fitter, stronger, and at … Continue reading →

The Misconception of the Due Date

By | | , ,
Comments Off on The Misconception of the Due Date

Personally I don’t like referring to the date a baby is expected to be born as the ‘due’ date. It puts so much pressure on the situation and expectation that the baby WILL be born on that particular date. If baby doesn’t arrive on that date then what? …Waiting, anxiety, increased stress? The gestation period for a baby is around 39 weeks. Some arrive before that, some arrive later. Setting parents expectations (based on average statistics) to one day out of potentially a 3-4 week period is not necessarily helpful, and, in my opinion, wrong. So, I’m going to call it the … Continue reading →