Pregnancy Fitness

When a woman becomes a mother, it is a transformative time in her life.
It is a time when with significant changes occur in the mind, body, and
spirit. Cultures around the world honor this time with various traditions
that often focus on rest, nourishment, and support for the new mother so
she can transition to her new role with ease. In Japan it is customary for the
new mother to rest for three weeks and stay in bed in her parents’ home.
In Nigeria the tradition of Omugwo, which means postpartum care, calls for
the grandmother to give the new baby his or her first bath. This shows the
mother that she is supported and has a village to help with child rearing.
In Latin America, la cuarentena (the quarantine) is a six-week period in
which new mothers abstain from sex, strenuous activity, and certain foods.
They dedicate themselves simply to rest, healing, and breastfeeding. They
are supported by their family members, who cook, clean, and care for the
other children and the new baby.
In North America we lack traditions related to healing practices in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Unfortunately, our society and media
encourage a super-mom mentality that applauds a quick return to fitness
and promotes the goal of looking “like you never had a baby.”
Our goal with this book is to play a role in creating a paradigm shift
that introduces cultural traditions to the Western world; such traditions
would be instrumental in improving birth outcomes, promoting the need
for a purposeful recovery, and revering the women who choose a gradual
return to exercise.