Ante-partal and Post-partal Exercises and Comfort Positions

A complete set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering ante-partal and post-partal exercises, including benefits, specific techniques, and comfort positions for labor.

Diaphragmatic Exercises

Exercises that strengthen the diaphragm, decrease the work of breathing, and are intended for pain relief during labor.

Kegel's Exercise

Pelvic-floor exercises involving repeated contracting and relaxing of muscles to strengthen pelvic muscles, aid in delivery, and prevent loss of bladder control.

Pelvic Rocking Exercise

An exercise used in labor to help focus during contractions, move the baby down the birth canal, and ease backache while aiding spine movement.

Bridging

An ante-partal exercise intended to improve lower back and gluteus strength.

Wall Slide

An exercise that promotes good posture and strengthens the legs and pelvic floor muscles.

Thoracic Extension (TES)

Exercises that allow the spine to extend, combating the overly rounded posture caused by chest and belly enlargement during the second trimester.

Brisk Walking and Jogging

Ante-partal activities that improve cardiovascular function, limit pregnancy weight gain, and lead to the attenuation of gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Swimming

An ante-partal exercise that strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and boosts blood oxygen levels.

Pelvic Tilt (Post-partal)

An exercise effective in regaining abdominal strength and aiding in pelvic realignment.

Elbow-to-Knee Lifts

A post-partal exercise used for strengthening abdominal muscles and aiding in diastasis recti.

Ab Crunch (Post-partal)

An exercise done to tighten stomach muscles and prevent lower back pain.

Reaching Toes (Post-partal)

An exercise focusing on the legs, particularly after an epidural, to help prevent blood clots.

Pelvic Floor Exercises (Post-partal)

Post-partal exercises that strengthen pelvic floor muscles and prevent urinary incontinence.

Left Side Sims

An ante-partal position where the mother lies on her side with a pillow between the knees to increase blood and nutrients reaching the placenta and baby.

Hands and Knees Position

A comfort position that eases back pain and boosts the baby's oxygen levels.

Birthing Ball Position

A position enabling rocking or sitting to move the baby into favorable birthing positions and relieve back pressure.

Upright Position

A position that opens the pelvis and gives the baby room to maneuver as it heads towards the birth canal.

Stair Climbing Position

A position that relieves backaches, makes contractions less painful, and encourages the baby to move deeper into the birth canal.

Lunging Position

A position involving raising one foot onto a chair to help the baby rotate, descend, and push on the cervix.

Reclining

A position done against an object that releases tension and relaxes muscles.

Birthing Bar

A tool used to expand the pelvis and use gravity to push the baby down.

Kneeling Birth Position

A position where the mother leans over the head of the bed or a birthing ball to relieve contractions and back pressure.

Semi-sitting Position

A position where the mother sits tilted to the left with a pillow under the right hip to open the pelvis and allow blood flow.

Birthing Stool Position

A position used to relieve stress on the back and increase cervical dilation.

Chin-to-Chest

A post-partal exercise where the mother lies on her back and elevates the head to bend the chin forward without moving other body parts.

Abdominal Crunches (Post-partal)

An exercise where the mother lies flat on the back with knees bent and raises into a sitting position with arms folded across the chest.

Abdominal Breathing (Post-partal)

A post-partal exercise involving breathing in and out slowly and deeply $5$ times while lying flat on the back.