Rebuild and Receive - a Postpartum Philosophy.
For the past year I’ve been getting to know the knowledgable, talented, and all-round wonderful Sally from Fit Philosophy. Sally runs pregnancy and postnatal fitness classes in our beautiful Bayside.
Sally and I share a postpartum philosophy: for a family to thrive, we must support the mother. Women’s perinatal physical health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance, and is unfortunately undervalued by our culture and healthcare system here is Australia. Support to rebuild your pelvic floor and overall strength should be standard practice during the postpartum period, but for many it is not. Luckily for you and me here in Brisbane, we have Sally!
I’ve taken part in many of Sally’s classes and I’ve been so impressed with the level of focus and care she gives to each client. My gripe with group fitness in the past has been that when my affectionately labelled ‘dodgy knee’ prevents me from performing an exercise, many trainers have neglected to offer tailored alternatives that don’t leave me feeling left out.
This doesn’t happen in Sally’s classes. I’m not just paying for generic instruction. I’m paying for her vast experience and focused care. She knows women and she wants us to thrive.
Sally and I have combined our skills during a number of her classes this year. Sally runs her class as usual and I finish off by leading the group in a pregnancy and postpartum meditation. It has been a treat, getting to meet Sally’s clients and to help promote more peace and joy in their lives. The biggest perk, however has been getting to know Sally as a business owner, a woman, and a mum. I’ve learnt so much from her and I think you will too:
It’s been such a pleasure working with Sally that I thought I’d push the friendship even further by having her and her beautiful new baby feature in my recent postpartum photoshoot.
Jasmine: As a postpartum doula, my primary concern is for the mother. I aim to make mothers’ lives easier so they can experience more peace and joy in raising their babies and children. Do you share a similar philosophy?
Sally: I do! I see it my role to help women build their physical strength & stamina to make motherhood easier. People expect pregnancy & birth to be hard, and it is! But so is the time afterward, especially the first 12 months when your baby physically depends on you almost 27/7. You’ll spend many hours lifting, rocking, holding, in akward positions etc. This is tough on the body and makes women feel exhausted & lethargic. It often leads to back pain, sore hips & general body discomfort. I help alleviate aches & pains and build your strength to make life easier & more enjoyable for you!
“I’m much better at accepting help this time around, so whenever anyone offers, I say yes!”
Jasmine: So many mums put their baby’s needs above their own and have a hard time paying for services that directly benefit THEM, like cleaners, postpartum doulas, and health and well-being coaches. What do you say to mothers who feel this way?
Sally: ….I used to be one of them! With Maxi, my first born, I was stedfast in the mindset I ‘should’ be able to do everything, because my nana didn’t have any help and she did “just fine!” Or so I told myself. Now having recently had my second, I am 100% both feet in with the thought that anything that benefits the mum, benefits baby too.
Jasmine: What do you outsource, or what supports do you utilise, to help make life in motherhood easier?
Sally and bub didn’t have an easy fourth trimester, but with support from friends and family they have come out the other side and are finding their groove.
Sally: My mum comes over every Wednesday to help out with the two kiddos. A tiny part of me is worried I call on her too much, even though she loves the time with her grandkids, but most of me is happy to accept the help. I’m much better at accepting help this time around, so whenever anyone offers, I say yes! I also have a Virtual Assistant who helps run my business.
Jasmine: If you could change one thing for mothers during the first 12 months postpartum, what would it be?
Sally: For all mums to be offered a government funded eight week group exercise program led by caring physios / fitness professionals who are qualified in the post natal space. Caring for babies is physically tough, most women experience degrees of pain with all the bending & being in akward positions settling babies. Whether this is a little discomfort in the form of minor prolapse or chronic, severe back pain (like I have) the right kind of exercise can alleviate much of this. Bonus points if there’s a mental health component!
Jasmine: If you feel safe to share, what has been your biggest mothering hurdle, personally?
Sally: The practicality of putting my kids needs in front of my own. For example, having to go to physio to receive treatment for injuries sustained during the birth, but having to leave halfway through the appointment due to screaming baby. So I need to wait until I see the physio again for further treatment. Being sick but unable to take anything decent because I’m breastfeeding (but also not wanting to give up breastfeeding.) When I’m rocking Theo to sleep and my back hurts so much, but I continue rocking him so he will sleep.
Going from 1 to 2 kids has emotionally stretched me more than ever. I had heard so much about ‘mum guilt’ before, but I didn’t really experience that with Maxi. But as soon as Theo came along, I feel it almost every day. I know I’m a good mum, but the guilt I feel when I can’t meet both their needs often brings me to tears.
Jasmine: And how have you managed to, or tried to, get through the challenges?
“When the mum guilt arises, I quickly remind myself my children are fiercely loved which MUST mean I am a good mum!”
Sally: When the mum guilt arises, I quickly remind myself my children are fiercely loved which MUST mean I am a good mum! I get outside every day. I exercise. I connect with other mums. I take deep breaths.'
Jasmine: What do you wish you’d known, before having your first baby?
Sally: To not rush to ‘get back to life.’ With Maxi my firstborn, I was really out of sorts in the first few months of not working. I struggled to find my new identity as a mum. On the days when Maxi would nap alot, I thought of myself as being lazy because I hadn’t “done” anything that day. I would tell myself to let go of the need to be productive, and that raising a tiny human truly is enough bloody work!
Jasmine: What has been your best experience so far, starting your business and supporting mothers?
Sally: One first time mum said to me “I would have sunk into a deep depression if not for your classes Sally.” That was a profound moment for me.
Jasmine: What are some of the biggest myths about postpartum fitness that you’d like busted?
Sally:
That after your six week check up you’re ‘good to go’ for exercise
That it takes 9 months to make the baby so it will take 9 months for your body to ‘bounce back.’
That your fitness can & should remain at the same level
Jasmine: What are 3 things you think mums absolutely need to know about postpartum recovery and movement?
As qualified pre & post natal fitness specialists, we have a deep understanding of the bodys’ needs during pregnancy & the post partum period. - Sally, Fit Philosophy
Sally:
You must prioritise rebuilding the pelvic floor & deep core (yes even if you had a c-section!)
It’s very likely your back pain can be reduced or even eliminated with the right approach to exercise
Your body has worked so hard for you, be kind to her!
Jasmine: Can you tell us a little about your services? - days times and locations?
Sally: Classes are at the beautiful Manly waterfront in Brisbane at Drevesen Park. Being out doors is a big draw for many women as it helps lift your mood. And the babies love it too!
Due to high demand I’ve just added Pilates to our timetable which I’m really excited about!
We currently offer:
Mondays: 9.30 – 10.30am Strength
Thursdays: 10.15 – 111.15am Pilates
Sally’s classes are booked out until the end of September but she is offering you lucky readers a free trial for her classes during the first week of October. DM her on instagram @fitphilosophyau or text her on 0466 816 864, and mention this blog post to claim your spot.
