Postnatal Exercises

Subject: Midwifery III (Theory)

Overview

Exercise performed in the postpartum period following delivery in order to avoid difficulties is known as postnatal exercise. Exercises after childbirth are done to increase blood flow, aid in the development of the reproductive organs, avoid thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, regain the tone of the abdomen and pelvic muscles, and ensure adequate lochia discharge. Deep breathing exercises, limb exercises, abdominal exercises, and perineal exercises are examples of postnatal exercise. Because the exercise involves the contraction of internal muscles, it may be done anywhere, at any time. When performing the Kegal exercise, the abdomen should be at ease and completely still.

Postnatal Exercises

Exercise performed in the postpartum period following delivery in order to avoid difficulties is known as postnatal exercise.

Purposes:

  • To improve blood circulation.
  • To help in the involution of reproductive organs.
  • To prevent thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.
  • To promote well being of the postnatal mother.
  • To restore the tone of the abdominal and pelvic muscles.
  • For proper drainage of lochia.

Types of Postnatal Exercise:

  • Deep breathing exercise,
  • Limb exercise,
  • Abdominal exercise,
  • Perineal exercise.

Points to Remember:

  • No exercise immediately after a meal.
  • No exercise of the abdomen to the caesarean section mother.
  • Deep Breathing Exercise:
    • It can start from the first day of delivery. Deep breathing exercise is done 3 to 4 times a day. It is done to prevent chest complications. A woman should lie on sitting position with arm extended. Breath slowly and deeply by using abdominal muscle 5 to 10 mins.
  • Limb Exercise:
    • Raise the hand slowly forward then back to the position 4 to 5 times. Raise hand slowly over the head and claps the hand firmly for few second and being back in position 3 to 4 times. The lower limb is also extended and flexed 5-10 times.
  • Abdominal Exercise:
    • Flex her knee on the abdomen and bend her head forward and turn slowly. Lie on the bed with kneeling position, separate the knee as far as possible. Touch the chest and shoulder on a bed. Hands are extended on a side of the body make the face on one side 1-2 times.
  • Perineal muscles and pelvic floor muscle:
  • Tell the mother to first practice stopping the stream of urine while voiding to identify proper contraction of pubococcygeal muscles; contraction of muscle result in stopping urine flow, relaxation allow urine to flow.
  • Once proper contraction is verified, advice the mother to practice contraction for 5-10 seconds, the relax the muscles for 5-10 seconds in a set of 10 times and do 3 times a day.
  • The exercise can be practiced anywhere at anytime because it involves contraction of internal muscles. The abdomen should be relaxed and no movement should be visible by doing Kegal exercise.

Things to remember
  • Exercise performed in the postpartum period following delivery in order to avoid difficulties is known as postnatal exercise.
  • Exercises after childbirth are done to increase blood flow, aid in the development of the reproductive organs, avoid thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, regain the tone of the abdomen and pelvic muscles, and ensure adequate lochia discharge.
  • Deep breathing exercises, limb exercises, abdominal exercises, and perineal exercises are examples of postnatal exercise.
  • Because the exercise involves the contraction of internal muscles, it may be done anywhere, at any time.
  • When performing the Kegal exercise, the abdomen should be at ease and completely still.
Questions and Answers
  • To improve blood circulation.
  • To help in the involution of reproductive organs.
  • To prevent thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.
  • To promote well being of the postnatal mother.
  • To restore the tone of the abdominal and pelvic muscles.
  • For proper drainage of lochia.
  • Deep breathing exercise:

It can start from the first day of delivery. Deep breathing exercise is done 3 to 4 times a day. It is done to prevent chest complications. A woman should lie on sitting position with arm extended. Breath slowly and deeply by using abdominal muscle 5 to 10 mins.

  • Limb exercise:

Raise the hand slowly forward then back to the position 4 to 5 times. Raise hand slowly over the head and claps the hand firmly for few second and being back in position 3 to 4 times. The lower limb is also extended and flexed 5-10 times.

  • Abdominal exercise:

Flex her knee on the abdomen and bend her head forward and turn slowly. Lie on the bed with kneeling position, separate the knee as far as possible. Touch the chest and shoulder on a bed. Hands are extended on a side of the body make the face on one side 1-2 times.

  • Perineal muscles and pelvic floor muscle:

Tell the mother to first practice stopping the stream of urine while voiding to identify proper contraction of pubococcygeal muscles; contraction of muscle result in stopping urine flow, relaxation allow urine to flow.

Once proper contraction is verified, advice the mother to practice contraction for 5-10 seconds, the relax the muscles for 5-10 seconds in a set of 10 times and do 3 times a day.

The exercise can be practiced anywhere at anytime because it involves contraction of internal muscles. The abdomen should be relaxed and no movement should be visible by doing Kegal exercise.

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