Exercise is an essential component in the maintenance of wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond, and it doesn't matter if you were physically active or not prior to becoming pregnant!

Exercise therapy assists to improve and maintain the physical conditioning required for labour and motherhood and speeds recovery after your baby is born.

Exercise can assist to relieve common complaints such as constipation, backache, pelvic or hip pain, aching joints, insomnia and fatigue.

Safe and effective exercise therapy can also treat and manage more severe complications such as pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure) and gestational diabetes and will lower your risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Improving your core muscle and pelvic floor strength and function reduces the risk of abdominal separation, pelvic organ prolapse, and incontinence post-partum, which is more common than you think!

1 out of 3 women experience incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine) after giving birth.

Around 50% of Australian women will develop some form of pelvic organ prolapse in their lifetime.

In many women abdominal separation is still evident at 8 weeks post-partum and may not close without treatment - more information below.

Exercise therapy can assist to treat and manage anxiety and depression whilst pregnant or after your baby is born.

Exercise can assist new mothers or mothers with older children in several ways.

For new mothers it is essential to rest and recover for a minimum of 8-weeks after giving birth (avoid running, sports or high impact exercise). Even if you did not suffer complications during or after pregnancy, recovery is essential. The muscles that support your lower back and pelvis have been stretched and will take time to firm up again. Use these weeks to perform gentle core and pelvic floor exercises which will assist you to regain your full function.

If you have experienced medical or physical complications during pregnancy, during the birth of your baby or after your baby was born, you should be assessed by an exercise physiologist prior to commencing structured physical activity.

Whether you gave birth recently or years ago, exercise therapy can assist to regain your core and pelvic floor muscle function and strength, assisting to treat issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence.

Exercise improves and maintains your physical conditioning, assisting you to combat physical fatigue and low energy.

Exercise assists to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Programs developed by exercise physiologists are safe for women who had caesarean sections or other complications during labour and birth.

Exercise, with the addition of a wholesome diet, can also assist you to lose excess weight after pregnancy.