Postpartum fitness: Is it really important?

How important is postpartum fitness for new moms?Post delivery is a time that is more stressful than the pregnancy itself as there is a newborn baby that needs feeding and looking after. Whereas previously the womb took care of everything!Therefore, being fit mentally and physically is very important.Exercise helps strengthen and tone abdominal muscles and boosts energy at the same time. It helps you sleep better and relieves stress.It may help prevent postpartum depression. It helps you lose the extra weight that you may have gained during pregnancy. How soon new moms should resume their fitness routine?If you had a healthy pregnancy and a normal vaginal delivery, you should be able to start exercising again soon after the baby is born. Usually, it is safe to begin exercising a few days after giving birth—or as soon as you feel ready. If you had a cesarean birth or other complications, ask your doctor when it is safe to begin exercising again.What complications can they face with high-intensity workout?A high-intensitywork out is one in which it is hard to talk without pausing for breath. If you followed a high-intensity exercise program before pregnancy, it may be possible to return to your regular workouts soon after the baby is born. Make sure that you discuss this with your doctor before you begin high – intensity workouts.Symptoms they can experience with extreme work-out?You can experience pain, tiredness or fatigue with extreme work- out. Make sure that you do not over do things.When you first start exercising after childbirth, try simple postpartum exercises that help strengthen major muscle groups, including abdominal and back muscles. Gradually add moderate-intensity exercise. If you exercised vigorously before pregnancy, you can work up to vigorous-intensity activity. How many minutes a day or hours a week should they indulge in workout?Work towards exercising for 20-30 minutes per day. Even 10 minutes per day is beneficial.Explain for postpartum depressionMost new mothers experience postpartum "baby blues" after delivery, which commonly includes mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty in sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks.However, some new mothers experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme mood disorder called postpartum psychosis also may develop after childbirth.Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer and may eventually interfere with the ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth but may begin earlier ― during pregnancy ― or later — up to a year after birth.The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression may include: depression, mood swings excessive crying, loss or increase in appetite, insomnia or excessive sleeping, tiredness, extreme irritability andanger, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness and of being a bad mother, severe anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide.If this were to happen you need to seek medical help.What can help new moms heal better?Being a new mother is a very joyous time, however sometimes it can be stressful as well. Family support, physical and mental well being and a positive attitude can go a long way in making the post delivery period a stress free time.Precautions new moms should take for better mental and physical healthNew mothers should exercise, eat healthy, get adequate sleep and seek help early if they experience any of the symptoms above.How can family members help with physical and mental stress?Family members and friends play an important role in supporting the mother. They can help ease the burden of looking after the child by allowing the mother to get a few hours of quality sleep. They can encourage her to exercise and eat healthy. Most importantly if they see symptoms and signs of depression they should advise her to seek medical help.