WHAT
Safe Return to Exercise for New Mums is a FIVE Phase program that bridges the gap between leaving the hospital or 6 week check-up and returning to the exercise or movement of a woman's choice after having her baby.
WHY IT MATTERS
At present there is NO standard 'return to exercise' procedure or specific advice given to new mums.
At best they may be lucky enough to have a carer (OB, Midwife or GP) who understands what a postnatal body needs to recover & return to exercise.
At worst a woman suffering birth injuries or trauma is given absolutely no guidance at all and is left to fend for herself.
There is also no 'standard' education that Fitness Professionals MUST do prior to working with postnatal woman therefore women MUST be educated in seeking the best possible care.
WHO
This program is aimed primarily at newly postnatal mums however will guide any mum that hasn't receive any specific postnatal guidance through everything she needs to know to be exercising safely and effectively and ensure NO MUM GETS LEFT BEHIND.
SOME FACTS
- Women make up 80% of those who report living with incontinence (continence.org.au)
- In 2016 mums made up 77% of women over the age of 15+ (abs.gov.au)
- HALF of all women who have had a baby will experience prolapse (continence.org.au)
- In 2013 it was estimated the annual cost of incontinence in Australia is $6.7 billion
A 2016 SURVEY OF 756 MUMS SHOWED . . . . . .
- 72% that had a vaginal delivery experienced an episiotomy or tearing
- 40% said they felt they experienced a traumatic birth
- Only 17% were taught about their pelvic floor by their carer (OB,GP, midwife)
- 88.5% had NEVER been advised to see a Women's Health Physiotherapist
- 59% said their pelvic floor was not checked at their 6week check-up
- 82% were not referred to anyone postnatally for a pelvic floor screening
- 60% were given NO return to exercise guidance at all!
- 50% of those who said they were living with pelvic floor weakness have never sought help
- 60% were given NO return to exercise guidance at all!
OUR PROJECT
Covers FIVE key phases in the postnatal recovery journey that are often not talked about enough:
- Understand your birth experience
- Become aware of your emotional wellbeing
- Understanding your Physical Body (includes the value of a Women's Health Physiotherapist)
- Exercises you can do right now
- Finding the right movement for you
We have brought together a wealth of knowledge & experience to create this program:
Dr Drew Moffrey - Obstetrician, Joelene Murdoch - Women's Health Physiotherapist, Dr Nicole Highet - Founder of COPE, Jen Dugard - Mums Fitness Specialist
DELIVERY
The BETA version is currently being delivered via the Kajabi platform. There are currently 217 mums taking part in the BETA test
The future of the program is to develop into an app.
OUR COMMITMENT
IT'S FREE! We believe that every woman should have access to this information and are committed to ensuring this program stays free for all mums, for life!
VISION
To ensure that EVERY woman receives the education and information she deserves to ensure a safe return to exercise or the movement she loves.
OPPORTUNITY
To partner in the mission to ensure that EVERY woman experiences a Safe Return to Exercise or the movement she loves.
To become a leader in helping to provide FREE quality postnatal education to women where currently there is little that is freely available.
WHAT THEY SAY . . . . .(feedback from our BETA testers)
"Great program! Helped me to understand the physical & emotional side of the postnatal period, plus exercises to start off gently. I now know what to ask and knowledge is power."
"I found this program extremely helpful & empowering. All the info is easy to follow and videos are not overloaded with information.
"I now know I actually need to go and see a Women's Health Physio!"
"I now know what happens to the body and how to mindfully repair it before going back into exercise. I would never have given it a thought otherwise."
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Awareness is KEY! Women don't know what they don't know and so this project is designed to take the bones of what we have created so far, improve and AMPLIFY this message and information to ensure that EVERY new mum receives the education and information that she deserves to return to the exercise or movement she loves safely and effecively.
