Exercise Physiology for Women's Health: Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum
At Selph our Exercise Physiology support treatments focuses on understanding and catering to women’s unique physical needs during pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum.
This holistic approach combines movement, exercises, stretches, and nutritional advice to optimise body functions, enhancing health and accelerating recovery. For women planning pregnancy, staying physically active is crucial for improving fertility and preparing the body for the changes ahead.
During pregnancy, exercise physiology plays a key role in managing discomforts, maintaining strength, and preparing the body for childbirth. Postpartum, it aids in recovery, helping new mothers regain their physical strength and confidence.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Programs & Offering
Pregnancy is a transformative phase, and our consultations are designed to support mothers every step of the way.
Pregnancy and postpartum services involve your Exercise Physiologist working alongside your GP, OB and/or your Gynecologist to improve or maintain your health through safe physical activity. All exercises and guidance are in line with current evidence-based research
Our comprehensive initial pregnancy assessment takes into account your family history, health record, previous and current lifestyle, and an understanding of your pregnancy. Your baby and your health is paramount during pregnancy so when it comes to physical activity, our approach to your bespoke treatment will depend on your activity levels:
- For those physically active – we aim to keep clients moving well and progressively deloading as pregnancy progresses
- For those less physically activity – it’s about finding what they enjoy, and safely increasing strength, heart and lung function.
Recent research conducted both in Australia (Brown et al 2022) and overseas (Mottola et al 2018) shows that physical activity during pregnancy has far less risk to mum and bub than no physical activity at all.
We offer one-on-one sessions, take-home programs, and specialised group exercise classes tailored for each trimester (10-12 sessions per trimester). Group exercises classes have a maximum of 8 clients per group to ensure each client receives the support they need in each session.
Clients will be provided with home exercise programs to help keep them on track while away from supervised sessions.
Regain Movement Today
For Postpartum services, we focus on the period around your pregnancy, reviewing your birth, screening for postnatal depression and assessing when you can start specific physical activity as directed by your GP, OB, Gynecologist and/or Pelvic Physiotherapist.
The group sessions have a maximum of 8 per group and will run weekly for 12 weeks. Postpartum consultations and group sessions work to stretch out muscles that have become tight since giving birth, rebuild strength and reactivate muscles that haven’t been used properly due to pregnancy. This program includes rehabilitation exercises to improve pelvic health symptoms such as pubic pain and incontinence.
Nutrition Services Integrated with Exercise Physiology
Nutrition plays a vital role in maternal health. Our Nutrition services, integral to the exercise physiology program, support weight management, energy level improvement, and overall health enhancement.
During the initial consultation, our nutritionist, Noella, evaluates your health history and goals to develop a personalised nutritional plan. This service is especially beneficial for women in pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum stages, ensuring their dietary needs are met for optimal health and recovery.
Meet Noella: Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist, Elite Athlete & Mum
Beginning her journey as a professional Rugby Union player for both Australia and the NSW Waratahs, Noella transitioned her passion for sports into a 15-year clinical career as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Scientist and Nutritionist. Completing her studies at James Cook University, she has worked across the rehab spectrum from Sydney Adventist Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation unit to the Wests Tigers NRL team.
Noella’s clinical expertise encompasses functional rehabilitation for a range of conditions, from joint injuries to metabolic syndromes. Her dedication to women’s health led her to specialise in pregnancy and postpartum exercise and nutrition programming. She has worked with female athletes on an international level to help guide their return to sports, and she regularly delivers female athlete education workshops to various sporting groups.
As a Registered Nutritionist, Noella offers tailored nutrition assessments and programs, working with clients to improve their general health, weight loss and improve sporting performance.
Being a new mum herself, Noella understands the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy body and mindset. She’s an esteemed member of the Australian Institute of Sports industry reference group for the Female Performance and Health Initiative and is an ambassador for their research program to develop best practice guidelines to support pregnancy in elite sport.
Through her work, Noella aims to empower individuals to embrace physical activity as a form of self-care, ensuring they and their families lead healthier lives.
