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Saturday, January 18 2020
Be Mindful of the Postpartum Depression Challenge According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, an estimated 14-23% of pregnant woman deal with depression, and 5-25% experience postpartum depression. It isn’t just the physical changes that new moms have to manage and accept, but also the volatility of the emotional journey that often marks this unique time in a new mom’s life. It’s particularly important for health and exercise professionals to understand the signs of postpartum depression in their clients, including:
If you suspect a postpartum client is battling depression, consult with a mental health professional in your network (without violating client confidentiality) to seek guidance and, when necessary, facilitate a referral to that professional. It is not within the scope of practice of health and exercise professionals to diagnose mental health concerns, but it behooves us to recognize when a postpartum client is struggling. Therefore, it’s crucial to converse with postpartum clients and dial in to how they are feeling and coping while adjusting to their new life dynamics. Building rapport is fundamental, but taking extra steps to care for these special clients is essential to their wellness success and goal achievement. The Real Focus of Postpartum Recovery New moms require a significant amount of recovery time to heal (up to two years depending on the situation) from the trauma the body experienced during pregnancy and delivery. New moms are incredibly strong and focused on caring for a new baby, but the focus also needs to be on self-care to aid the healing process. The American Council on Exercise gently reminds its professionals that the initial focus following the first six weeks after delivery is “to gradually increase physical activity as a means of relaxation, personal time and a regaining of the sense of control, rather than on improving physical fitness” (American Council on Exercise, 2014). New moms who delivered via cesarean-section will likely require additional time beyond six weeks. The primary postpartum goal is not to immediately get back to a pre-pregnancy physique. Health and exercise professionals need to understand how to assist new moms in shaping realistic goals focused on self-care and healing rather than on the physical dimension alone. Just as it took time to develop and birth a baby, it will take time to recover. As such, it is essential that you respect the mental challenge this requires. What Health and Exercise Professionals Can and Should Promote When your postpartum clients are ready to return to activity, be sure to incorporate more than exercises for new moms. While activity is important for mental health and regaining physical strength, it is not the biggest priority during this time. Instead, educate your clients about other areas that are just as beneficial to health and fitness as physical exercise. For example:
Dr. Erin Nitschke, NFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, author, is an ACE Health Coach, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, and Pn1 is a health and human performance college professor, fitness blogger, mother, and passionate fitness professional. She has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry and college instruction. Erin believes in the power of a holistic approach to healthy living. |