Five CPD courses to…support pregnant and postnatal women

With the recent strengthening of a partnership between Sport England and The Active Pregnancy Foundation, the spotlight has been firmly focused on supporting expectant and new mums to be physically active. Pregnancy or having a child under one can place women into a period of inactivity that can be difficult to break. Facing a complex set of barriers including emotional and functional challenges as well as physical limitations, it is imperative that sport and physical activity practitioners consider including this special population in their repertoire to continue addressing disparities in participation.

With this in mind, we’ve featured five courses to help you enable you to include pregnant and/or postnatal women in your offering. These CPD opportunities comprise of in-person and online learning to help keep your development flexible. Plus, we’ve signposted further relevant resources to allow you to develop and apply your knowledge.

CPD

1. Active IQ Level 3 Award in Supporting Pre & Postnatal Clients with Exercise & Nutrition

Provided by Study Active
A Training Academy course ★★★
10 CIMSPA CPD points

Achieve the knowledge and certifications necessary to become a certified pre- and postnatal training specialist. This qualification will prepare you to offer specialised postnatal fitness programmes for new mothers, focusing on core and pelvic floor strength, overall fitness and navigating post-childbirth changes.  

What you’ll learn about: 

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

• Programming safe and effective exercise sessions 

• The different phases of natal training, including postnatal training programmes designed for safe and effective recovery 

• Catering specifically to pre- and postnatal fitness needs, ensuring a personalised and supportive training environment 

2. Third Trimester: Training for Labour

Provided by FitPro
1.5 CIMSPA CPD Points

This course will enable you to enhance your pregnant clients’ training experience by assisting them with labour and birth preparation tools as part of their fitness programme. This introductory course will also provide you with the tools to be able to assist pregnant clients in planning for their postnatal recovery. 

What you’ll learn about: 

• Strategies for preparing clients for labour and birth in the fitness setting 

• The basic concepts of the three stages of labour 

• Strength training strategies that can be used in the third trimester to prepare for labour 

• Stretches to enhance preparation for labour and birth positions 

• Ways to prepare the pelvic floor for birth and postnatal recovery 

• How to use training intensity changes for labour training 

• Modifying resistance exercises to protect the pelvic floor during pregnancy 

• Relaxation and breathing awareness strategies to use in labour 

• Relaxation principles to assist the adjustment from pregnancy to motherhood 

• How to prepare and equip your clients for postnatal recovery 

• Postnatal issues that clients may experience that require referral for postnatal physiotherapy or medical follow-up 

• When to refer a client for conditions requiring attention that are outside the scope of a registered fitness professional 

3. Aqua Natal Online Course

Provided by Aquatic Rehabilitation Exercise Academy Ltd
10 CIMSPA CPD Points

Become an Aqua Natal instructor with this online course to enable mums-to-be to continue or start exercising with safe, low-impact movements which help to prepare body and mind for birth.  

What you’ll learn about: 

• Gentle movements to help clients relax and unwind to reduce pregnancy stress 

• Low-impact movements to reduce pressure on joints and the back 

• Types of movement to encourage connection with bump whilst boosting circulation 

• Modifications to enable a personalised workout based on mothers’ stage of pregnancy ensuring women in each trimester can participate

4. Kinesio Taping During Pregnancy and Post Birth

Provided by Burrell Education Ltd
10 CIMSPA CPD Points

This course, for fully certified soft tissue therapists, comprises of three key elements for improving outcomes for the most common minor pain/discomfort ailments during pregnancy and into the postnatal period. 

What you’ll learn about: 

• The principles and history of Kinesio Taping – how and why it works 

• The changing pregnant core and lumbopelvic region 

• Symphysis pubis dysfunction and SIJ pain in pregnancy 

• The postnatal core rehab and diastasis 101 

• Application of Kinesio Taping for postnatal core rehab 

• Common musculoskeletal and fascial pregnancy to postnatal ailments and how Kinesio Taping can help 

• Application of Kinesio Taping for key pregnancy ailments – ‘bump support’ and diastasis support 

• Solutions for a range of pregnancy and postnatal conditions

5. Early Postnatal Programming

Provided by FitPro
4 CIMSPA CPD Points

Gradually introduce your new mums back to training after the birth of their babies with this introductory course. It covers ways to gradually introduce postnatal women back into training, taking into consideration the individual time taken for postnatal healing, restoring of strength and tone in the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor, and regaining of pelvic stability following pregnancy and birth. 

What you’ll learn about: 

• How hormonal changes of pregnancy impact the abdominal wall, the pelvis and the pelvic floor and how this may affect postnatal recovery 

• How to assess postnatal posture and programme to improve posture 

• The roles and function of the abdominal muscle wall for core stability 

• The role of the pelvic floor and how pregnancy and birth can impact it 

• Modifying training for various levels of core control and pelvic floor fitness 

• Progressions of exercise for rebuilding core control 

• The factors that can influence the degree of rectus abdominus diastasis (RAD) 

• How to assess a postnatal client for an abdominal muscle separation and prescribe exercises to improve abdominal muscle wall function for core stability 

• Screening for and identifying risk factors and when to refer a client for follow-up treatment 

Remember – you can submit your CPD to your CIMSPA member profile to build your professional portfolio, showcase your professional status and earn your CPD points.

*Only eligible membership categories.