This inventory was created through the help of many Physical Activity Promoters who replied to our request for information on the PARC listserv. It is by no means an exhaustive list, so please let us know if you know of any additional resources or programs on prenatal and/or postnatal physical activity. It has been divided into categories to assist with the organization of the material.
Table of Contents
Canadian Organizations & Resources……………………………………………1
Provincial Organizations, Health Units & Resources…………………………... 2
Ontario
Alberta
British Columbia
American Organizations & Resources…………………………………………… 4
Pre & Post Natal Certification Courses………………………………………….. 4
Articles……………………………………………………………………………….5
Research Specialists……………………………………………………………….5
Active Pregnancy Tracking Sheets………………………………………………. 6
Books………………………………………………………………………………...6
Physical Activity Samples…………………………………………………………. 7
Canadian Organizations & Resources
Canadian Advancement for Women in Sport (CAAWS)
http://www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion
The goals of Mothers in Motion are to break down the barriers that women face, outside of lack of time, include: lack of sports or physical activity partner; the need for more resources within the community; the need for financial assistance; a lack of awareness of local activities. Mothers in Motion helps break down these barriers and gives women and their children the incentive to get active. The site is divided in to three target audiences: Mothers of new babies and toddlers, mothers of preschoolers and mothers of school-age children.
The Canadian Guidelines of the Society of Obstrecians & Gynocologists - 2003
http://www.sogc.org/guidelines/public/129E-JCPG-June2003.pdf
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.healthypregnancy.gc.ca/
Provides current information on active pregnancy and on pre & post natal care. http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=104635785342 The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology www.csep.ca/main.cfm?cid=574&nid=5087 A comprehensive resource for pregnant women who want to maintain activity, or undertake physical activity as a component of making positive lifestyle changes to promote a healthy pregnancy. Exercises for a Healthy Pregnancy Booklet - Childbirth Care Canada ISBN 1-56796-215-7, Phone: 1-800-299-3366 ext.287 http://www.superiormedical.com/fitness.html Provincial Organizations, Health Units & Resources Ontario Waterloo
Topics include benefits of exercise during pregnancy, safety considerations, specific exercises, FITT principles, healthy eating, and suggestions for postpartum exercises. This is an excellent resource for fitness leaders, health professionals and physicians.
Photographs and illustrations throughout. 40 pp. spiral binding (c) 1999 ISBN 1-896900-06-2 $11.95
It provides descriptive explanations and pictures of many different types of exercise. Cost is approximately $9.00 US. The company will mail a sample copy if you are interested in ordering. Click on Childbirth Care Canada > Prenatal care > Booklets and Brochures
Oh Baby, Pre and Postnatal Fitness, is a Waterloo region based organization that focuses on pre and post natal fitness and resources for mom’s to be and new mom’s.
Niagara
Baby Step is based in Niagara region.
http://www.babystep.ca/
Ajax
>click on the online recreation brochure to see all the listings: www.townofajax.com
(e.g. Mom'n 'Babe Pilates, Yoga, Pre&Post-Natal Cadio, & StrollerFit classes)
Pre & Post-Partum Bellydancing at Zahras Bellydancing Studio
http://www.zahras.ca/aspx/Default.aspx
Hamilton-Wentworth
The Hamilton-Wentworth Health Unit (now City of Hamilton, Public Health Services) developed a resource (1997) called Active Pregnancy, adapted from "Fitness and Conditioning During Pregnancy."
Middlesex-London
The University of Western Ontario & Middlesex-London Health Unit "Parmed-Xfor Pregnancy", Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and Health Canada. Edited Dr. M Mottola.
Peel
Peel Health Unit has a pamphlet called Breastfeeding and Physical Activity.
For further info contact Lori Levere, Peel Public Health, 905-791-7800 x 2662
Kenora
My Pregnancy Journal is a coil-bound publication available from the ECD program in Kenora. It covers many aspects of pregnancy including one small section on the importance of exercise. The phone number for Addictions Services Kenora (one of the partners in the creation of the publication) is 807-467-3555.
Toronto
The Esther Myers post natal parent and baby yoga class: http://www.estheryoga.com/classes.html
There is a mother who organizes walks in High Park - free of charge.
free-stroller-fitness.blogspot.com
Women’s College Hospital SPORT C.A.R.E. They have a sports medicine clinic there and have the "Exercise and Pregnancy Helpline at 1 -866 -937-7678. contact info for Heather Robinson:
heather [dot] robinson [at] wchospital [dot] ca (mailto:heather [dot] robinson [at] wchospital [dot] ca)
Kingston
Always Active is a comprehensive resource outlining activity for pre and postnatal women.
http://www.healthunit.on.ca/pdf/active.pdf
Deanna Cole-Benjamin, dbenjamin [at] healthunit [dot] on [dot] ca (mailto:dbenjamin [at] healthunit [dot] on [dot] ca)
Phone: 613-549-1232 x503
Halton
Carol Di Bon, Supervisor
Baby and Parent Health Program/Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program
carol [dot] dibon [at] halton [dot] ca (mailto:carol [dot] dibon [at] halton [dot] ca)
Phone: 905-825-6000 x2951
Ottawa
Ottawa Parks and Recreation listing of activities
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/programs/guides_pdf/fit_well_en.pdf
The City of Ottawa (http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/) has a resource for new mothers with guidelines on the frequency, intensity, time and type of activities that are for postpartum moms
Fitness with Jules
(e.g.. Boomerang Kids Strollercise, and Glebe Exercise Group)
http://www.fitnesswithjules.com/
The Physical Activity Resource Centre (PARC), also has a resource on Active Pregnancy posted on their PARC Bench from City of Hamilton.
http://www.ophea.net/Ophea/PARC/DocumentDetails.cfm?ResourceId=1567
Alberta
The resource: "prenatal and postnatal exercises...guidelines that promote the heath of you and your baby" is an excellent resource but, of moderate literacy.
This booklet is produced by Alberta Heath and Wellness:
Also from Alberta’s Centre for Active Living is this information on new mothers.
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/wellspring/2002/FallPage1.pdf
This Research Update article focuses on an intervention that used social cognitive theory and group dynamics to increase physical activity participation among post natal women.
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/research_update/2006/activelivingmarch.htm
British Columbia
Two PHN's who teach pre and postnatal fitness at the health unit in Chilliwack, B.C. are willing to share their resources: Sue Stoneson, email:
Sue [dot] Stoneson [at] Fraserhealth [dot] ca%20and">mailto:Sue [dot] Stoneson [at] Fraserhealth [dot] ca and Cindy Marcotte, email Cindy [dot] Marcotte [at] fraserhealth [dot] ca (mailto:Cindy [dot] Marcotte [at] fraserhealth [dot] ca)
American Organizations & Resources
The American College Obstreticians and Gynocologists (ACOG) Guidelines contain the following with respect to exercise in the postpartum period.
Exercise in the Postpartum Periods
Many of the physiological and morphological changes of pregnancy persist for four to six weeks postpartum. Thus, exercise routines may be resumed only gradually after pregnancy and should be individualized. Physical activity can thus be resumed as soon as physically and medically safe. This will certainly vary from one woman to another, with some being capable of engaging in an exercise routine within days of delivery. There are no published studies to indicate that, in the absence of medical complications, rapid resumption of activities will result in adverse effects. Undoubtedly, having undergone detraining, resumption of activities should be gradual. No known maternal complications are associated with resumption of training. (10) Moderate weight reduction while nursing is safe and does not compromise neonatal weight gain. (71) Failure to gain weight is associated with decreased milk production, which may be secondary to inadequate fluid or nutritional intake to balance training induced outputs. Nursing women should consider feeding their infants before exercising in order to avoid the discomfort of engorged breasts. (72,73) In addition, nursing before exercise avoids the potential problems associated with increased acidity of milk secondary to any build up of lactic acid. Finally, a return to physical activity after pregnancy has been associated with decreased postpartum depression, but only if the exercise is stress relieving and not stress provoking.” (74)
If you refer to page 9-10 of the Joint SOGC/CSEP Guidelines there is reference to resuming physical activity in the postpartum period as well as reference to exercising while breastfeeding.
Women should have their 6-week clearance from their doctor/midwife and PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire)
Typical postpartum group exercise programs focus primarily on slowly easing back into a fitness routine but just as importantly, socializing and sharing with other women and mothers who are just as sleep deprived & unsure of "what's next"? Exercises are of a more functional nature and are intended to rehabilitate following pregnancy & childbirth & include Kegel exercises, strengthening of the abdominals (unless participant suffers diastasis recti - separation of the rectus-abdominus muscle), core exercises to maintain & restore posture and upper body strengthening to be able to lift baby in & out of the car seat/crib, etc.
Please feel free to contact me any time should you require any further information!
The American College of Sports Medicine (www.acsm.org) has a report called "ACSM Roundtable Consensus Statement: Impact of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum on Chronic Disease Risk."
Pre & Post Natal Fitness
Pre & Post Natal Certification Courses
Also,Can-Fit-Pro (Canadian Fitness Professionals) offers a 16 hour Pre/Post natal specialist course that health care professionals can also take (not just fitness professionals). The manual for this course reviews current exercise and pregnancy research, benefits, risks, contraindications, etc. I would also contact them as this is a very valuable and helpful manual.
(www.canfitpro.com) or 1-800-667-5622
“Postpartum Health for Moms, by Diane Lee – Restoring Form and Function After Pregnancy” Course. The focus is mainly on restoring effective function of the musculoskeletal and urogenital components of the pelvis after pregnancy. There is also a video/DVD of exercises available.
dianelee.ca/courses/postpartum.php
Articles
The following article outlines 6 recommendations for pregnant/postpartum women r/t exercise: Davies, G.A.L., Wolfe, L.a., Mottola, M.F., & MacKinnon, C. (2003). Joint SOGC/CSEP Clinical Practice Guideline: Exercise in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Can. J. Appl. Physiol. 28(3), p. 329-341.
The following article provides evidence and rationale to support the recommendations from the article above:
Berk, B.(June 2004). Recommending exercise during and after pregnancy: what the evidence says. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 19(2), p. 18-22.
Dr. Larry Wolfe
Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory
School of Physical & Health Education
Physical Education Complex
Queen’s University
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6
Tel. (613) 533-6284
Fax. (613) 533-2009
pregnancyresearch [at] hotmail [dot] com (mailto:pregnancyresearch [at] hotmail [dot] com)
clinex [at] post [dot] queensu [dot] ca (mailto:clinex [at] post [dot] queensu [dot] ca)
Dr. Michelle Mottola
The R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation Exercise & Pregnancy Laboratory
Dr. Michelle F. Mottola, Ph.D. Director.
Rm. 2245, 3-M Centre University of Western Ontario. London, ON N6A 3K7 Tel. (519) 661-2111 Ext. 88366 (lab) Ext. 85480 (office) Fax. (519) 661-2008
Associate Investigator, Fetal & Newborn Health Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON.
Associate Member, Child Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
Books
The Mother of all Baby Books. Ann Douglas, (2001).
Baby Steps: Exercises for Baby’s First Year of Life. Susan Fox, (1999).
The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness. Lizzie Rockwell, (2004).
Run, Jump, Hide, Slide, Splash: the 200 Best Outdoor Games Ever. Joe Rhatigan & Rain Newcomb, (2004).
Children On the Move: An Active Living Alphabet. Jane LeDrew, (2004).
Moving and Growing: Physical Activities for the First Two Years published by the Canadian Child Care Federation in French and English:
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/publications/movingandgrowing_en.htm#1
Physical Activity Resource Samples
Toronto Public Health, 2000, Fun and Physical Activity: For families and caregivers with children 0 -4.
BABY LIFTS- Strengthens elbows, shoulders, and chest.
The Canadian Health Network