| Your posture can change dramatically when your | | | | when you are standing up that there is a string |
| body goes through the adjustments of carrying a | | | | coming out of the top of your head. Then |
| baby for nine months. There are so many | | | | visualize someone pulling on that string. As your |
| physical changes that, although they happen | | | | head lifts, your pelvis rotates under, your back |
| gradually, can take a toll on your body and your | | | | straightens and your shoulders come back. Just |
| posture. Why is this important? It's possible to | | | | this slight movement makes all the difference. |
| feel good throughout the entire pregnancy. | | | | You have just corrected your bad posture with |
| Knowing what to do to aid in that comfort by | | | | this simple movement. (Go ahead - try it out right |
| being aware of your physical changes can make | | | | now!) |
| all the difference! | | | | 2. Get some neuromuscular massage therapy |
| What do you need to do to ensure that your | | | | during pregnancy! I am not talking about a |
| body feels good throughout the pregnancy and | | | | fall-asleep spa massage here, I am talking about |
| that you don't have any lasting effects from the | | | | neuromuscular therapy (NMT) for pregnancy. Find |
| postural changes? First we need to understand | | | | someone who is training and certified in NMT and |
| the changes that take place during pregnancy. | | | | pregnancy massage both. A skilled therapist can |
| As you reach the 5th month and beyond, most | | | | assist in relieving the muscle groups that can |
| women start to "show". Everyone loves a cute | | | | tighten down in response to your changing |
| baby bump, but you need to be careful to not | | | | posture. A good therapist will also instruct you on |
| allow your cute bump to pull your back out of | | | | proper posture and stretches. |
| alignment. With the increasing weight out front, | | | | 3. Address your posture as soon as possible |
| the abdominal muscles become stretched out. | | | | when you are postpartum. After the baby |
| The abs and back muscles work together to | | | | comes, some of the postural issues can resolve |
| keep you upright, normally. But when the abs are | | | | on their own, and some can become exacerbated. |
| stretched during pregnancy - it becomes the job | | | | A lot depends on what you did to address the |
| of your back muscles to hold you up! On top of | | | | issue during pregnancy and how conscious you |
| that, the weight of your belly falling forward | | | | are of your posture during the postpartum period. |
| causes a rotation in your hips. The front and top | | | | Continue to consciously think of your posture |
| of your pelvis dips forward in accommodation of | | | | during this time and be sure to support your baby |
| the increasing weight out front. This causes a | | | | properly when holding and feeding. A nursing pillow |
| "sway back", meaning that the back concaves | | | | can help with this. See a neuromuscular therapist |
| because of the pulling weight out front. The abs | | | | during this time as well. The muscles that have |
| and back plus pelvic rotation aren't the end of the | | | | tightened in your pelvis need to be released during |
| story though! Your breasts are also increasing in | | | | the postpartum period, so that your pelvis can |
| size, often significantly. This causes the shoulders | | | | rotate back to its regular position. |
| to rotate forward, which in turn tightens down | | | | You can have an easy and comfortable |
| the pectoral muscles. | | | | pregnancy and you don't have to keep that |
| The good news is there are things you can do to | | | | pregnancy posture forever. Knowing what to do |
| aid in preventing these changes from becoming | | | | to assist with these small postural changes and |
| your body's new structure. | | | | what kind of professional can assist you is key. |
| 1. Be aware of your posture at all times! Imagine | | | | |