Doing too much too soon can be harmful.

     As many of you know, Faidre gave birth to our baby girl Phoebe Rhea just a few days ago.  Being part of the entire process of her pregnancy, I got to see the many changes a woman’s body goes through during those nine months.  I can remember doing a lot of walking especially towards the end of the ninth month and Faidre feeling winded very fast.  And if any of you know Faidre, you know she’s an active woman with lots of energy and strong willed. 

     Our doctor recommended Faidre to relax the first two weeks after giving birth to allow time for her body to settle and asked that we’d focus on getting little Phoebe Rhea settled and into a routine.  She mentioned that if Faidre felt strong enough after the first week, we could go out for walks, but not over do it.  And given that Faidre is such a go getter, I was very glad to hear her agree with our doctor.

     During Faidre’s pregnancy, she had through a series of tests where everything is checked in case there can be an early detection of anything off balance inside the body.  So, for example, a pregnant woman can show low counts of the adrenal hormone called cortisol.  The adrenal glands pump out cortisol to increase the heart rate and breathing rate.  It also increases blood flow to your muscles.  Then there is a significant drop in cortisol levels postpartum.  So, doing too much after two weeks will result in too much draining of your adrenal before they are ready.  This in turn will can off balance your body from a quicker and safer recovery.

     In other instances, a woman may feel an increase in her flexibility during pregnancy.  During the first few weeks postpartum, a woman’s joints and ligaments may still be loose and doing too much too soon can result in a greater chance of an injury taking place.  In addition, if a woman had an episiotomy or cesarean incisions, her body will need time for proper healing and doing too much too soon can and will delay this process.  Equally, if a woman is anemic, her body will need to build her supply of iron levels before she starts doing anything strenuous.

      In closing, I will say that each individual woman is different.  That it’s up to you, the woman to get educated as much as possible while pregnant or if you’re planning to be in the near future.  For men, it’s your job to support her and do the same because she and your baby will need your help.  Doing too much too soon can have unnecessary negative results and therefore the key is to be patient.  As a husband and a father it’s imperative that you support your wife and help her to stay focused.  To make sure she doesn’t get ahead of herself for both her health and your baby.  It’s important to love them both and look after their wellbeing.  Ladies, you don’t need to be superheroes and attempt to do everything right away.  You’ve done plenty.  Ask for your husband’s help, they haven’t done anything near to what you have.  Don’t feel bad, it’s their journey and responsibility as much as it is yours.  After six weeks your doctor should give you the green light to get started in your exercise.  Come over to Pura Vida and we’ll help you get back in shape in no time.  Congratulations moms and dads!

Wishing all new moms a fast recovery, God Bless.

Marco Gamez