New program helps pregnant Soldiers stay fit

Fort Sill currently has nearly 100 pregnant and post partum Soldiers on the installation. To help the Soldiers maintain the health and fitness levels of pregnant Soldiers and successfully integrate them back into their unit's fitness training program, the Army developed the Pregnancy and Post Partum Physical Training program or PPPT for short.

"This is an installation program administered by Army Medical Command, and I want to stress how beneficial the program is to all pregnant Soldiers and their units," said Capt. Jasmin Gregory, Army Public Health registered nurse.

Gregory coordinates the program at Fort Sill, working with functional fitness trainers and collaborating with the Army Wellness Clinic; primary care managers and nutrition professionals at Reynolds Army Community Hospital.

"The PPPT program is designed to help Soldiers maintain their conditioning during pregnancy, prepare to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and meet their height and weight standards. Maintaining fitness during pregnancy helps them to more rapidly return to their units after pregnancy," Gregory said.

1st Lt. Kristine Cameron, who calls West Virginia home, attended one of the weekly morning workouts for the first time last week. Her first child is due in July.

"It's important to be in shape before you get pregnant. A lot of people have the misconception that once you get pregnant, you have to stop working out and you can't do anything physical," said Cameron, a registered nurse in the same-day surgical clinic at RACH. "As a medical professional I believe this class is very important for you and your baby, because it prepares you for the whole labor, delivery and recovery process. As Soldiers we have to bounce back quickly after we have our babies."

Cameron said getting up for the class at 6 a.m. wasn't hard because as a nurse and a Soldier, she is used to getting up that early.

"We have a job to do, not only as mothers but as Soldiers in the United States Army. We need to take care of our bodies at all times. We have to aim for that six-month period after we deliver our babies so we can bounce back quickly," she said.

Claudia Mejia, Fort Sill Garrison fitness coordinator, led the workout class for the pregnant and post partum Soldiers at Rinehart Fitness Center.

"It is important that they keep up with their exercise since they are Soldiers. Once they have their babies they have to pass the physical training test, so it is definitely beneficial for them to lose weight afterward and work to get back in shape, as well as exercise during their pregnancy," said Mejia.

She added pregnant Soldiers must get written clearance from their health care providers allowing them to exercise.

"We are very careful to adapt exercises to meet the restrictions of their pregnancy. Of course we don't do push-ups but we do other exercises to strengthen their back muscles, because once they are pregnant the back has to bear all their weight," she said. "And, they will need a strong back, as well as strong shoulder and arm muscles, so they can carry their baby once they deliver.

"If you don't do anything for nine months you are going to lose your conditioning. Just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you can't do anything," said Mejia.

To learn more about the PPPT program contact Army Public Health at 580-442-6328.