For women in the postpartum period, returning to physical activity should be a gradual process. Women who physically overextend themselves too soon after giving birth may experience delays in recovery. Low-impact activities, like walking, swimming or stretching, offer a great starting point for returning to movement.
Exercising during pregnancy can have many benefits for a pregnant woman’s health. Staying active helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension, and lowers postpartum recovery time. To see the benefits of exercise, healthy pregnant women need 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. This can include a mix of aerobic activity, such as biking or walking, and light resistance exercises.
Participating in team sport after childbirth can help women to negotiate their new identities as moms, feel empowered in their return to movement, and find support and inspiration in friends, family and other moms. As a policymaker, practitioner or program leader, consult with mothers and be creative to ensure inclusive and equitable team sport spaces for new moms.