Post natal exercise
Following the birth, exercise helps the mother to regain her pre-pregnancy figure a lot more quickly. Studies have shown …
Health and wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
PND - feel better naturally
If you think you have postnatal depression seek professional help. Once you have a diagnosis, look for herbal remedies to …
How this mum went from 99kg to Ironwoman triathlete!
Alison King talks to Christine Stride about how she went from overweight new mum to four-time Ironman triathlete and multiple marathon finisher. The day I left hospital with my five-day-old baby I should have been feeling so happy. But one feeling …
Use it or lose it: guide to great pelvic floors
Physiotherapist Renée Vincent offers up the down-low on caring for your pelvic floor. As a mum or mum-to-be, you’re probably familiar with the fact that you have a group of muscles called the pelvic floor, and that these muscles need to be …
Stand tall: tips for treating poor posture and neck pain
Osteopath Sarah-Jane Attias does some straight talking about neck pain and posture, and shares techniques and treatments for new mothers. As a new mum, your neck and back may well be feeling ‘the pinch’, and simple things like sleep, pain-free …
How this charity provides a helping hand to mums with PND
It feels like we’re talking about postnatal depression more than we ever have before, but it’s a conversation that obviously needs to be louder, and go deeper. According to Kristina Paterson, founder of the charity Mothers’ Helpers, two-thirds of …
Do you have the low iron blues? Here's what to do
Poor concentration, pale skin, dizziness, low immunity and fatigue can all be signs that your iron levels are low, writes Julie Fergusson. During the winter months we tend to train inside in the gym rather than outside which can cause iron levels …
Tend to your body, mama
Miriam McCaleb asks us to take a moment to (re)consider our bodies Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention. In a world where our attention is as valuable as clean water and restorative sleep, I’m super grateful that you will share yours …
How to overcome perinatal depression
Pippa Henderson talks to Kristina Paterson about how she overcame perinatal depression, and how she’s now successfully helping others to do the same. I just spent an hour talking to an expert on perinatal depression. You might think I’d be feeling …
Go with your gut: improve your gut health and your brain
Dr Emma Parry offers an update on the gut revolution, and shares why she’s pro probiotics. You would have to have been hiding under a rock to have missed the fact that gut health is big news. So what’s it all about? In this article I’ll outline …
New mums: why and how to strengthen your core muscles
Pregnancy is a beautiful but tough time hose nine months spent growing a human will take their toll on your body in many different ways, especially your abdomen or your 'core'. Being a new mum requires lots of lifting and carrying, so being strong …
Pelvic flaw
Discussing pelvic floor problems is never going to be sexy. However, pelvic floor dysfunction is common and can cause significant distress for many women. Lisa Yates explains what exactly goes wrong and who is at risk. You need only to attend a …
We help you find the time to exercise
We’ve all heard the benefits of being active and the recommendations to dedicate time every day to physical activity, but how? And when? OHbaby! fitness expert Renée Vincent offers advice. You may be familiar with the Ministry of Health’s …
Why it's okay to NOT be okay
Rebekah Hoeft calls on mamas everywhere to break the taboos of not talking about post natal depression (PND) and raise their voices. There’s a ridiculous idea that becoming a mum means you should be super-happy all the time. You’re lucky enough to …
Know your normal: surviving breast cancer
Breast awareness saved Vivian Gubb’s life, and potentially her sisters’ as well. her message could save other women: know your normal. 🎗️🎗️ Vivian Gubb was only 29 when she was diagnosed in 2015, just after her first wedding anniversary. …
Eight foods to bust your sugar cravings
Thanks to Holistic Health Coach Carly Shankman for the tips below: Busting those sugar cravings and getting off processed food is all about getting adequate protein and fats to keep you full, satisfied, and burning ketones instead of glucose. If …
Understanding Angry Mama Syndrome
Miriam McCaleb talks to mums who’ve come clean about their anger and looks at ways to avoid classic meltdowns. So many of us are feeling overworked, under appreciated, overwhelmed and under pressure. Is it any wonder we get angry? During my …
Journey to a better body
Those who know me well realise that I have never been one to resemble an elite athlete. However, once upon a time in my youth, oh so very long ago, I was an energetic and sprightly wee thing and very sporty. I played netball, touch rugby, hockey. …
Try a triathlon
Put the "try" back in "triumph" and make a triathlon your fitness goal this summer. Physiotherapist John Forrest offers some advice on getting into this increasingly popular sport for the first time. As the days get warmer and longer it is easier …
Exercise at home
At home with a baby and struggling to find ways to get back in shape? Follow fitness expert Lisa Yates' advice for getting fit without stepping out your front door. As a busy mother, it's not always easy to arrange a trip to the gym and, while …
Bend and stretch
If you're looking for a way to exercise and socialise with your newborn baby in tow, follow the advice of yoga instructor Petra Tip, and head to a mums and babies yoga class near you. For the first few weeks after having your baby, your focus …
Pilates - An introduction to Pilates as a postnatal exercise
Pilates is a natural fit for postnatal mums looking at get back into shape gentle and without injury, writes Simone de Cunha. During pregnancy, you go through a myriad of changes to make way for the new life growing inside you. Ligaments loosen, …
No more leaks
If you have developed a wee problem since giving birth the good news is there's a very simple solution. "Those poor women," says Dr Lynsey Hayward, who has seen mums virtually house-bound by a leaky bladder. One, who had to stop work, was going …
What you need to know about breast cancer
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER…. …and pregnancy Full-term pregnancies offer a long-term protective effect against breast cancer. Women who have their first baby before age 30 have a slightly lower risk of developing the disease in their …
Get Fit Busy Mama
From creature of comfort to recreational runner in 12 weeks? Former OHbaby! Editor Ellie Gwilliam sets out to improve her fitness. The eve of day one When it comes to exercise, I am lazy and a quitter. As a mum I can, of course, see the benefits of …
When your baby sleeps but you can't: tips for getting to sleep
Some parents are wide awake at night, even when their children are peacefully sleeping. Physiotherapist Renee Vincent explains why cleaning up our sleep hygiene is a helpful and healthy idea. As any parent knows, sleep is a cherished and …
Easy does it: natural ways to manage pain after childbirth
After your baby is born a few aches and pains can arise while adapting to parenthood. It can take your body a while to adapt to some of the new tasks that come with having a baby. During pregnancy, your hormones work to loosen muscles, ligaments and …
Exercise as medicine
If we want to feel better and live longer, turns out we should walk past the pharmacy and, well, just keep on walking! OHbaby! Fitness expert Renée Vincent explains. If a friend told you about an inexpensive wonder drug that adds years to your …
What You Really Need To Know About Sugar
Sugar gets a bad rap these days but are claims that treats are toxic actually reasonable? Sweet-talking OHbaby! nutritionist, Anna Hansen, serves up the facts. In the time of our early ancestors, before machinery was created to extract the juice of …
Exercises your kids can actually help you with!
It can be tough finding time to work out when you're a parent, but there are times during the day in which you can squeeze a few minutes of beneficial exercies or stretches. There are also ways in which you can incorporate your little ones into your …
Walking power
Celebrities seem to drop their baby weight before they've even left the maternity ward. In the real world, walking is an achievable way to get back in shape post-baby, suggest our fitness experts Fiona Ross and Lisa Yates. How many TV reality …
Healing your pelvic floor
Many women are secretly suffering problems they simply consider "the norm". With information and exercise, you can say goodbye to pelvic floor problems and say hello to strength. In the article "At risk of a pelvic flaw?", we looked at one of the …
Wrist pain
Does your wrist hurt when you breastfeed? You might be affected by de Quervain's tenosynovitis, explains Elizabeth Gasson. One of the best parts of being a mum is the closeness that comes from being able to breastfeed your baby, scoop him into …
Desperate for sleep
New parents reminisce about pre-baby days where a full night's sleep was the norm rather than a luxury, and practically salivate at the sight of their beckoning beds. Cherin Abdelaal Selim and Shelley Zintl reveal there is light at the end of the …
Diastasis rectus abdominis
A diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle is a gap that has formed between the two bellies of the rectus abdominis, or "six-pack" muscles. During pregnancy, as the uterus grows in size, the stomach muscles must stretch to accommodate this. Towards …
Do you get mummy rage? You're not alone
Every time you boil over in fury the kids are watching and picking up tips. Is it time to change the programme? Dr Melanie Woodfield explains. Before I became a mum, I had plans to be the perfect parent - always cool, calm and collected. The little …
7 secrets every woman needs to know
Heba Shaheed, also known as The Pelvic Expert, is a women's health nutritionist and physiotherapist who specialises in pregnancy, birth, motherhood, pelvic pain and endometriosis. Here she shares seven things all women should know about their …
3 post-birth pelvic issues
Pregnancy and birth are joyous times in a woman’s life, as we anticipate the arrival of our babies. Unfortunately, pregnancy and birth can sometimes put too much strain on our bodies, and we can be left a little worse for wear 'down there'. Heba …
9 steps towards being sugar-free
9 steps towards sugar-free1 Cut out sugary drinks, including fruit juice. Instead try soda water with fresh lemon or lime juice (you can make your own soda water with a Soda Stream machine). 2 Experiment with unbaked (raw) sweet treats like bliss …
Three of the best upper body stretches
A lot of women experience lower back, shoulder and neck pain during and after pregnancy. Osteopath and mum Sarah Boughtwood, who specialises in back pain and pregnancy, shares her three favourite upper-body stretches to keep your neck, shoulders and …
Don't ignore your pelvic floor
Pelvic floor – not to be swept under the carpet! You’ve probably heard the ads on the radio, or seen them on TV – you know the ones, they make you cringe, or at least leave you thinking “not that ‘embarrassing little problem’ again!” If you think …
Personal trainers
Whether you're a veteran at exercise or just starting to get back in shape after giving birth, a personal trainer can give you a real boost of confidence as well as provide expert advice on what will work best for your body. Physiotherapist and …
Periods and exercise
When you have your period, one of the last things you might feel like doing is exercising. But it's important to understand what's going on in your body so that you can avoid crashing on the sofa with the intentions of eating an entire tub of ice …
Period pain
Heavy, painful menstrual bleeding is a problem which affects up to one in five New Zealand women. Dr Anil Sharma explains the causes of heavy periods, and how they can be treated. Every month, women shed the lining of their womb …
Fitting in fitness,
Busy mother, busy life - but finding time to exercise is still important. Lisa Yates and Fiona Ross of FiLiFit explain. It is said that motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. How true this is! Along with the joys of being a mother …
Exercise outside
Are you stuck in a fitness rut after the long, rainy winter? Wondering how you can get in any decent exercise with a baby in tow? It's time to get out of the house and get fit, says fitness expert Lou James. After the …
Pay attention to your Pelvic Floor
You've been told you should do pelvic-floor exercises, but why are they so important? And how do you know if you're doing them right? Lou James explains why pelvic-floor exercises are so crucial, especially to women who are suffering from …
Urinary incontinence
Do you wet yourself when you sneeze? Many women find, after having a baby, that childbirth has brought with it an unpleasant side effect - leakage of urine due to weak pelvic floor muscles or an overactive bladder. Urinary incontinence is an …
4 Steps to post-baby fitness
When you've just had a baby, exercise is probably the furthest thing from your mind. But exercise not only reduces stress and tension, it gives you more energy and helps you to sleep better at night - even when your baby won't! Our fitness expert …
Stretch marks
Stretch Marks Imagine a balloon that has been blown up and then deflated. No matter how much you blow it up again, it has lost much of its original elasticity and will never look quite the same. So it is with stretch marks. They don't go away …
Fit for the festive season
Feeling overwhelmed by the festive season? Lisa Yates and Fiona Ross have a fitness plan to empower you to make your holiday memorable for all the right reasons. As if juggling the responsibilities of life with young children isn't hectic …
Nurturing your identity after baby's arrival
Becoming a mother is one of the most life-changing experiences a woman will ever face. Before your baby was born, you probably described yourself in terms of your occupation: student, journalist, lawyer, postie, businesswoman, or whatever it is you …
