IS POST-NATAL RECOVERY
LIKE RECOVERING FROM
A SPORTING INJURY?
The physical impact of pregnancy and childbirth may differ to that experienced in sporting injuries,
but the need for a support team to aid recovery is just as important, says women’s health expert
Dianne Edmonds.
rofessional athletes recovering
from an injury will have a support
team of trainers, physiotherapists,
massage therapists and coaches around
them to enhance and optimise their recovery.
They will take the medical advice given and
follow timeline guides provided, while
optimising retraining and rehabilitation to
strengthen
weaknesses,
stretch
appropriately,
recover
balance
and
proprioception (joint position sense) to
return to performance levels.
P
38 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2019
Pregnancy and birth changes affecting recovery
Post-natal recovery can be likened to recovering from a sporting
injury, although pregnancy and birth cause physical changes of a
different type. These include:
• Stretched and lengthened abdominal wall muscles
• Linea alba changes, including potential thinning and widening to
cause an abdominal muscle separation
• Changes to the pelvic floor and potential stretch and injury to
muscles, connective tissue and nerves during a vaginal delivery
• Scar tissue formation and healing, either following a vaginal
delivery or following birth via a caesarian section