Fit for Birth & Beyond
Fit for Birth & Beyond is a proactive functional exercise training program utilizing the Body Ready Method® approach for preparing the body for childbirth and beyond.
What is Fit for Birth and Beyond (FFBB)?
Fit for Birth and Beyond is a prenatal and postpartum movement program that is designed to help pregnant people feel their best throughout pregnancy and help them recover quickly postpartum. In essence, it is designed to improve their pregnant body's balance, strength, and resilience.
Fit for Birth and Beyond is founded on the Body Ready Method® Five Pillar system; pelvis, pelvic floor, core, upper body and movement patterns. These five pillars can help minimize pregnancy aches and pains, unnecessary abdominal separation and pelvic floor dysfunction, help you have a more efficient pregnancy and birth as well as optimize pelvic floor responsiveness. We’ll get that pelvic floor working smarter not harder!
Our aim is to stack the cards in your favor for an easier birth and recovery and to help you feel empowered throughout the childbearing process. It is designed to make the birthing body feel balanced and create space to facilitate the physiological process of birth.
Employing the Fit for Birth and Beyond movement approach can effectively help pregnant individuals with:
Body balancing to help baby find optimal position within the womb
Typical bodily aches and pains
Prevention and treatment of diastasis recti with core support
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Body optimization for a smoother birthing experience
Birth is a natural process and many people believe that the body already knows what it needs. Although true, there are methods that make the process smoother and safer for parent and baby. Unfortunately, this wisdom has often been lost in our modern world. We believe that it should be easy for birthing people to get these tools, and that many of them will be able to use them to avoid more high-risk intervention. This could lead to better outcomes for the pregnant parent. In fact, many symptoms that are often deemed “a normal part of pregnancy” can be reduced or even eliminated with the Fit for Birth and Beyond method.
Working with a trained FFBB practitioner can not only create greater satisfaction and empowerment in childbirth, but it can also minimize childbirth related injuries and encourage a smoother recovery and postpartum transition. And ultimately, it can strengthen birthing individuals throughout the perinatal (pregnancy & postpartum) process, creating a beautiful and amazing journey through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
What is included in the Fit For Birth & Beyond package?
The Fit for Birth and Beyond program starts with an initial one hour movement assessment followed by one-hour sessions to create a movement practice that will prepare your body for birth. Each session builds off the last and is customized for your unique body needs.
Together we will create a dynamic movement practice you can maintain for the rest of your pregnancy. Learning these functional movements and practicing them consistently can lead to a more functional pregnancy and more efficient birthing experience.
Assess your movement patterns by evaluating your pregnant posture, breathing and discuss your pregnant body & birth goals.
Learn core exercises and breathing techniques that will help with baby positioning, labor and delivery.
Work to activate your muscles and ensure you are engaging your pelvic floor in a safe and functional manner.
Embody hip and pelvic mobility exercises that help you prepare for childbirth.
Integrate the breath work, core, pelvic floor and hip exercises we have established.
Incorporate a dynamic upper body movement practice you can maintain throughout the duration of your pregnancy.
In our sessions we will:
Fit for Birth and Beyond can help:
Establish and support you in reaching your childbirth and postpartum fitness goals
Prepare your body for childbirth and beyond and optimize the positioning of your baby through functional exercise.
Embrace your changing body, both prenatal and postpartum
Identify blindspots and teach you movement patterns that may serve you more advantageously as your baby starts to grow and as you recover from childbirth
Learn how to move more efficiently throughout the day
Create an individualized care plan focusing specifically on your goals
Learn how to build a more functional core system which will, in turn, allow it to be more responsive and prepared for birth and beyond
Why work with a Fit For Birth & Beyond pro?
Ellyn Gerry has been working with prenatal and postpartum bodies for over 30 years. She understands how to support your body during pregnancy, so you can find a higher level of physical resilience and strength. She is well-equipped to help you prepare for a more functional pregnancy, easing childbirth and promoting a swift postpartum recovery.
Moreover, Ellyn understands what to do at every stage of the pregnancy, birthing, and recovery process to encourage progress and optimize balanced space in the pelvis and surrounding soft tissues.
Who is Fit For Birth For?
Any individual who is planning a pregnancy, is pregnant, or postpartum.
Somebody who has had previously difficult birth experiences and desires to be more proactive and find more support for their next pregnancy and birth.
An individual who is pregnant and worried about their abdominal core, diastasis recti, pelvic floor function, or other body issues.
Anybody who is pregnant and looking for a more holistic way to remain strong, functional, and resilient through the entire journey.
Those who value function over fitness and want a custom-tailored plan that works with their goals and body.
Someone who wants expert one-on-one fitness plans with supplemental bodywork.
FAQs
What is the best way to prepare for birth?
Fit for Birth and Beyond is a fantastic approach to birth preparation. It empowers birthing individuals by equipping them with the tools to take control of their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience. It helps increase resilience and supports an efficient birthing experience.
What is a typical Fit for Birth and Beyond appointment like?
When experiencing a FFBB appointment, clients will see Ellyn in person either at her office, Manhattan apartment, or residential gym for an initial sixty-minute movement assessment. From there, she reviews blindspots and develops an action plan for working together, whether it be once a week or once a month. This customized action plan is designed to help you prepare your body through movement to optimize the positioning of your baby, ultimately leading to a smoother and easier birth.
Ellyn’s program complements any existing fitness program you may already have in place. If you are already taking group classes she will review specific birth prep movements with you and make sure that you are doing them correctly.
Rates:
Initial one-hour session is $175
Five one-hour sessions are $750 ($150 each). Sessions can be scheduled online or you can contact us.
Take a look at all our services and rates!
Embrace your changing body!
