Dance after delivery

Would you allow your wife to go dancing a week after delivery? Faiswal M

Dear Faiswal M, This probably indicates that she is moving away from home to another place to join a group of others for a reason not clearly stated.

This indicates that this lady is perhaps going with her baby or leaving the baby under the care of someone else who is not a mother and therefore cannot breast feed the baby for the time the mother is away from home which may be challenging for both the mother and the child.
After birth, no matter how fit or toned one is, it takes several weeks before her stomach muscles are toned enough to support her lower back and pelvis.

This means that if one goes back too soon to vigorous exercise, there is a possibility of worsening health challenges like lower back pain, prolonged bleeding, and hindering recovery of abdominal muscles among others. Birth is a transforming event after which one’s entire body cannot return into shape immediately.

Usually, a mother is still bleeding and it would be advisable for her not to engage in other activities. Some women find that their bleeding that had narrowed down starts to get heavier again, which is a sign that the body needs more time to heal. The mother and the baby are prone to infections which render it dangerous to carry a baby to a dancing hall.
Also, if the pelvic floor is weak, pressure from such a vigorous activity can inhibit healing.

This is the time when the body is generating the first breast milk which is very nutritious for the baby and enough rest coupled with hydration is vital for a nursing mother.

The baby is just adjusting to the dynamics of a new environment like feeding style, warmth, bonding with the mother which justifies mother’s full time presence. Whereas dancing may be regarded as an exercise, it may not be recommended for such a new mother for health reasons pertaining to her and her baby. Such can affect the milk quality and this can be prevented by sticking to moderate physical activity and increasing progressively .

To avoid disastrous future impact, it would be better for a mother not to return to prenatal normal routine until it is recommended by a post-natal health care provider.

The writer is a Counselling Psychologist.