Staying Injury-free After Pregnancy & Birth

Did you know that our bodies are more prone to certain injuries during the first year after giving birth? It's not something that gets talked about enough, but I believe it's SO IMPORTANT to be aware of so you can take precautions to stay injury-free.

During this time, our hormone levels are still adjusting, and one hormone, in particular, called relaxin, plays a significant role. 

Relaxin is responsible for making our joints and ligaments more flexible, which is beneficial for childbirth and breastfeeding. However, it also means that our bodies become less stable and more susceptible to injuries.

I experienced this firsthand when I sprained my toe while happily strolling around in sandals after having my little one in the spring. It was a wake-up call for me to realize just how much relaxin was affecting my body at that time. And believe it or not, I managed to sprain my ankle not once, but twice after my second springtime baby arrived. 

🤕 Ouch! 

Understanding how relaxin can impact our bodies postpartum is key to staying safe and injury-free.

There are simple steps you can take like:

• Wearing supportive footwear - think ankle straps or sneakers. I love the following brands: Birkenstocks, Teva, and Vionic.

• Be mindful about being barefoot at home - I keep a pair of “house shoes” (Birkenstock slides) to wear so I felt more stable and prevented foot pain

• Incorporating exercises that promote stability and strength - I am sending a link to my handout called “Relieving Aches & Pains for Moms.”

If you have any concerns or want to learn more about staying injury-free during your postpartum journey, don't hesitate to reach out. Remember, taking care of yourself is essential because you deserve it.