Level 3 Award in Supporting Pre and Postnatal Clients with Exercise and Nutrition manual (sample)

Manual

Active IQ Level 3 Award in Supporting Pre and Postnatal Clients with Exercise and Nutrition Version AIQ005668

Introduction Physical activity is known to be part of a healthy lifestyle and many women wish to pursue an active lifestyle during pregnancy as well as into the postnatal period, whether they are an experienced exerciser or a newcomer. Upon becoming pregnant, many regular exercisers wish to continue participating in their chosen activities without fear of harming themselves or their baby.

In past years, women were often urged to ‘take it easy’ and to cut back on or avoid exercise during pregnancy. In addition, the ever-changing nutritional advice made food choices very confusing for pregnant clients.

However, in more recent years there has been a surge of research, and strong evidence now exists that, not only can exercise be safe during pregnancy, it can actually have a positive effect on the health of both mum and baby. The UK National Health Service now provides clear guidelines on dietary needs and supplementation during pregnancy and for those considering becoming pregnant.

This qualification will give you the current knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to support pre and postnatal clients with both safe and effective exercise adaptation and current nutritional advice.

The manual is broken up into 2 units: 1. Physical activity, health and nutritional considerations for pre and postnatal clients 2. Programming safe and effective exercise sessions for pre and postnatal clients Best of luck with your studies!

Active IQ wishes to emphasise that whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the material contained within this document is subject to alteration or amendment in terms of overall policy, financial or other constraints. Reproduction of this publication is prohibited unless authorised by Active IQ Ltd. No part of this document should be published elsewhere or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.

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Physical activity, health and nutritional considerations for pre and postnatal clients Aim When you are working in any active role with pre or postnatal clients and physical activity, it is important to be able to communicate the benefits of physical activity, address client concerns and to have a good understanding of the biomechanical and physiological changes that occur throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period, whilst also considering the key health and safety considerations. It is also necessary to know the nutritional requirements for a healthy pregnancy. This knowledge will allow you to understand the activities and participants’ needs and will also give you the foundation of knowledge needed to build upon and progress your career and further qualifications and learning.

Learning outcomes At the end of this unit you will: • • • • •

Understand the benefits and barriers/concerns of physical activity for pre and postnatal clients Know the physiological and biomechanical changes that take place during pregnancy Know the physiological and biomechanical changes that take place during the postnatal period Understand how to collect information to ensure health and safety when working with pre or postnatal clients Know the nutritional requirements for pre and postnatal clients

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Unit Contents Physical activity, health and nutritional considerations for pre and postnatal clients Section 1: Benefits and barriers – The value and concerns of physical activity for pre and postnatal clients ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Section 2: Physiological and biomechanical changes – The changes that take place during pregnancy and the postnatal period �������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Section 3: Contraindications – The key health considerations for pre and postnatal clients ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17 Section 4: Health and Safety – Collecting information to ensure health and safety when working with pre or postnatal clients ������������������������������19 Section 5: Nutritional requirements – The dietary and supplementation needs for pre and postnatal clients ����������������������������������������������������������������������29 Section 6: References �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������35

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Benefits and barriers

Section 1

Section 1: Benefits and barriers – The value and concerns of physical activity for pre and postnatal clients Some pre or postnatal clients may be exposed to peer pressure from friends and family and encouraged to ‘be careful’ and ‘avoid any unnecessary over exertion’ in the form of formal exercise sessions. Contrary to these kinds of beliefs, research into physical activity in pregnancy has shown several benefits compared to no exercise in pregnancy and it is important that fitness professionals are able to communicate these benefits early on, when building an effective working relationship with pre and postnatal clients.

Did you know?

Physical activity, health and nutritional considerations for pre and postnatal clients

Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2017) and the American College of Sports Medicine (2017) list a number of benefits to be gained from participating in regular physical activity during pregnancy and into the postnatal period. These benefits can be both physical and psychological.

By the time a baby is born it will have 300 bones in its tiny body. Many will fuse together so that, by adulthood, the number will reduce to 206!

Benefits of physical activity for pre and postnatal clients Prenatal benefits Maintains general fitness levels and improves CV fitness Reduces risk of hypertension Lowers gestational weight gain Eases constipation Improves sleep and mood Improves posture and reduces back pain May reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and caesarean delivery Increases body awareness and improved self image

Postnatal benefits Faster postnatal recovery May reduce the risk of postnatal depression Aids the return to normal weight Relieves stress Improves sleep, mood and energy levels Helps to strengthen and tone abdominal muscles and slow bone loss during lactation Provides functional fitness for the role of motherhood Increases body awareness and improved self image

POINT OF INTEREST Preeclampsia is a condition that usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and occurs in up to 6% of pregnancies. The exact cause isn’t fully understood but it is thought to be caused by the placenta not developing properly. Symptoms include high blood pressure and protein in urine. Apparent signs may be swelling in the face, hands, and feet; severe headache; blurred vision or pain below the ribs. Exercise should cease if any of these signs are present and the client should be referred to a medical professional.

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Section 1

Benefits and barriers

POINT OF INTEREST The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), (2017) have produced a handy infographic to clearly outline the benefits of exercise in pregnancy, some points of concern and general exercise guidance. This can be a useful resource for both pre and postnatal clients and fitness professionals.

Barriers and concerns of physical activity for pre and postnatal clients Providing that sufficient attention is paid to health and safety and exercises are selected and adapted accordingly, there have been no identifiable risks associated with exercising during pregnancy. In spite of this, exercise during the pre or postnatal period can bring with it a host of potential barriers or concerns that would not normally be experienced by a regular client. It is important to be able to recognise these barriers and be able to respond to them and move forward appropriately. The natural response to an exercise barrier is to overcome it and find a way for exercise to continue. However, during pregnancy it must be determined whether the barrier could or should be overcome. In section 2 we will look at the contraindications and warning signs to exercise in pregnancy and when medical clearance should be sought.

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