Sarah

Client Introduction and Background

  • Client's name is Sarah, a 31-year-old woman in her third trimester at 29 weeks pregnant.

  • She aims to enhance her fitness during pregnancy to manage weight gain, reduce discomfort, and prepare for labor and postpartum recovery. She is also keen on exercises to boost her mood and energy levels.

Exercise History

  • Sarah ceased exercising upon discovering her pregnancy due to fears of harming the baby, a common concern among pregnant women.

  • Her General Practitioner (GP) has assured her that exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial if conducted with professional guidance, emphasizing the necessity of exercise modifications to accommodate her evolving body.

  • Before pregnancy, she was a competitive netball player and ran three to five times weekly, demonstrating a high level of pre-pregnancy fitness.

  • She intends to return to netball post-childbirth but worries about injuries, specifically ACL injuries and ankle sprains, which are prevalent in netball.

Injury History and Balance

  • Sarah has a history of minor injuries, including balance issues and ankle sprains, indicative of possible proprioceptive deficits.

  • She acknowledges having poor balance, potentially exacerbated by pregnancy-induced changes in her center of gravity.

Impact of Pregnancy on Exercise

  • Pregnancy has necessitated a reduction in her exercise routine due to heightened fatigue and physical discomfort.

Symptoms and Physical Changes During Pregnancy

  • She experiences fatigue and lightheadedness upon standing, possibly indicating orthostatic hypotension—a common condition in pregnancy due to increased blood volume and hormonal shifts.

  • She reports lower backaches, particularly when standing for prolonged periods, likely resulting from increased lordosis and pregnancy-related weight gain.

  • She describes pinching pain in her shoulders when reaching overhead, potentially linked to rounded shoulders and upper crossed syndrome.

  • She has observed that her shoulders are more slumped forward than usual, contributing to shoulder pain and potentially affecting her breathing mechanics.

Clearance and Next Steps

  • Sarah has received clearance from her GP to start exercising, with recommendations for low-impact activities and necessary modifications.

  • She expresses enthusiasm to resume physical activity and is motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout her pregnancy.

  • The trainer is prepared to assist her in commencing exercise safely, focusing on addressing her specific symptoms and fitness goals while ensuring the safety and well-being of both Sarah and her baby.

Hi Sarah, great to see you. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and why you're here? Well, I'm currently 31 years old and twenty nine weeks pregnant, and I've recently decided that I need to get into a better shape before I'm due. Great, well I'm glad to see you here. Can I ask a little bit about your exercise history?

Sure, I haven't really done anything since I discovered I was pregnant, as I was worried that it might harm the baby. But recently during a check up with my GP, he told me that during pregnancy can be okay, and that it was safe to start with the help of a qualified professional. Yeah, that's correct. As long as the exercise is done safely and correctly, it can really help you and the baby. What was your exercise routine like prior to becoming pregnant?

Well, used to play a lot of recreational nipple, and I would run three to five times a week outside of training to help keep fit. I've always loved moving. That's really good to hear. Would you like to return to playing netball after the baby's born? I think so.

I miss the social side, but I used to get injured a lot. Yeah, injured? How so? Just silly little things. I used to lose balance sometimes and occasionally I'd fall and roll my ankle.

I've never really had great balance actually. Well, I can help you with that. I would love to help you return to playing airport and we don't want you having a fall while pregnant. True. I feel like an old lady talking about falling.

This pregnancy has really forced me to slow down when it comes to exercise. Yeah, don't worry, you're not alone. Plenty of our clients have had to change their lifestyle during pregnancy. Apart from the obvious baby bump, is there anything else that you feel might make it harder for you to exercise? Well, I get tired more quickly than usual and I often feel lightheaded when I get up from a chair or from bed.

Yeah, thanks for letting me know. These are both common symptoms during pregnancy, but they don't affect everyone. Are there any other aches and pains? I find that my lower back aches a lot during the day and it tends to get worse when I stand for long periods. Yeah, anything else?

Well it's nothing major, but sometimes I feel a pinching pain in my shoulders when I reach overhead and I notice that my shoulders slump forward more than they used to. Yeah, this is all really useful information. Thank you Sarah. No problems. I'm just really excited to get moving again.

Well, now that we know a little bit more about you and we have clearance from your GP, I'd love to help you start moving here. Great, let's go. Great, thank you.