New moms tackle 4th trimester with fitness -- and baby

BOSTON — In the so-called 4th trimester, moms are trying to balance taking care of baby and themselves. But, what if you could do both at the time same?

Local businesses are now offering that opportunity.

Boston 25 News anchor Kerry Kavanaugh visited the "Fit for Babe" class the Boston NAPS studio in South Boston.

"I've seen moms holding a plank and bottle feeding, or breastfeeding and squatting, or lunging at the same time,  said Kayla Mehr, a personal trainer. She says the physical benefits are obvious, but there is so much more to it.

"It's life-changing," said Boston mom Genevieve Bremseth. "You have a baby and your world is upside down. And it's just so nice to have this environment where if your kid screams the whole class, nobody cares."

"I'm by myself. I'm at home on maternity leave and I can bring her," said Boston mom Annie Malan. "If she fusses, if I need to feed her, it's no problem.”

"It's not that you're just dropping the baby off and having childcare, that's not necessarily what you want when you're on maternity leave," said Jamie O'Day, who owns Boston NAPS.

She and her business partner, both former labor and delivery nurses, support parents in the difficult transition from hospital to home.

The fitness classes are just one part of that, but they're growing in popularity.
 
"You want to be able to do things with your baby. You want to feel you can get out of the house with your baby," O'Day said.

"You don't have to worry about judgment," said Mehr. "You don't have to worry about people getting frustrated because your baby is crying. We're all in the same boat. We can all relate to each other."
 
The exercises are also specifically designed to protect women still recovering from childbirth. For example, postpartum women should avoid sit-ups and twisting. Yet, the participants are getting a full body workout, with special attention on rebuilding what pregnancy has changed.

As a new mom herself, Kavanaugh took classes at a few studios around Greater Boston.

To learn more about her experience, head to her Facebook page to join in the conversation.

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