Exercise in Pregnancy and Principles of Exercise

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Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year

A Guide to Health and Comfort

Before and After Birth

eBook #1

EXERCISE in PREGNANCY

and

PRINCIPLES OF EXERCISE.

Elizabeth Noble, PT

Smashwords Edition 2013

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Published by New Life Images at Smashwords

Pregnancy Creates a Special Need for Exercise and Principles of Exercise.

Copyright © 2013 by Elizabeth Noble.

ISBN: 978-0-9641183-3-1

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

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Develop your full potential with this illustrated guide.

Understand the changes your body undergoes with childbearing,

Learn how to prepare, use, and restore the key muscles involved in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

Follow this preventive program for optimal recovery of your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles

Avoid back pain, maintain bladder control, and keep fit and flexible—now and for the rest of your life.

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Testimonials

Essential Exercises undoubtedly presents the role of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum in the most complete fashion.

Raul Artal, MD, Author, ACOG Guidelines for Exercise During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period, Pregnancy and Exercise, and Exercise in Pregnancy.

Elizabeth Noble stands out dramatically as one of the few women who have significantly improved the health of childbearing women.

Doris Haire, President, American Foundation for Maternal and Child Health.

Books by Elizabeth Noble

Having Twins and More: A Parent’s Guide to Multiple Pregnancy, Birth and Childhood, 3rd edition 2003

Childbirth with Insight

Primal Connections: How Our Experiences From Conception to Birth Influence Our Emotions, Behavior and Health

The Joy of Being a Boy, with Leo Sorger, M.D.

Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers-to-Be

Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers and Babies

Having Your Baby by Donor Insemination

Winners Speak Globish

Foreword to the 2003 revised 4th edition

by

Raul Artal, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.,

Chairman and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Louis University, Missouri

As Emmanuel Friedman, M.D. wrote in the foreword to the first edition (1976) one would expect the field of obstetrics and physical therapy to integrate naturally. But that did not begin in the United States until Elizabeth Noble founded and took a leadership role in the Section on Obstetrics and Gynecology (now the Women’s Health Section) of the American Physical Therapy Association in 1977.

Pregnant women are well-advised to participate in a sound program that incorporates regular, moderate exercise #5 to aid circulation, increase muscle strength, improve posture, and enhance sleep and well-being.

Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year offers such a program, as well as exercises designed for women on bed rest, see eBook #5 Complications of Pregnancy: Bed Rest and Cesarean Section. The author of this book has a profound understanding of the physical aspects of exercise and explains in detail the role of the muscles involved during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. The rationale for each position and movement is provided, along with warnings about errors and misunderstandings. There are valuable tips on posture, relaxation, and also exercises to involve a partner in preparation for labor.

For almost fifty years, Elizabeth Noble has seen the benefits of her well-supervised, sensible program for pregnant and postpartum women, and she has shared her extensive experience across the United States and abroad. I personally have invited Elizabeth to teach at the facilities I have directed, and to introduce the physical therapist’s view to obstetricians. It is with great respect and admiration for her work that I introduce this book to you. It undoubtedly presents the role of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum in the most complete fashion.

Introduction

Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year was my first book, and after 5 editions, I am now offering components as e-books. Almost half a century has passed since I wrote the first edition of Essential Exercises. The structure and function of the human body hasn’t changed, and neither have the basic exercises. However, after two children, thousands of hours of experience