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The Gift of Female Fitness Programs (and more!)

Everything I’ve accomplished in my career began as a desire to address a personal problem I was experiencing and was often fueled by the fact that there was a giant gap or inadequacy that needed to be filled.

Let me back way on up.  I was in 5th grade, sitting in the library watching my sister’s 4th grade class performance.  It was a rendition of We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel, and I’m guessing the teacher had designed her own creative lyrics, but I...

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The Gift of Options for Infertility

Mercier Therapy, named after me, Dr. Jennifer Mercier, is a specialized form of pelvic visceral manipulation. My work focuses on enhancing the function of the pelvic organs, improving blood flow, and releasing tension within the pelvic area. This work is non-invasive and is performed by therapists trained by me who use gentle hands-on movements to promote optimal pelvic health.

The Benefits of Mercier Therapy for Infertility

Improved Blood Circulation: Mercier Therapy aims to enhance blood...

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Prenatal Pilates: The Best Pregnancy Exercise

As a Women’s Health Physical Therapist and Movement Specialist, I have access to hundreds of exercise programs from Yoga to Cross Fit and Barre to Tabata.  When women ask me what the best form of exercise to participate in during pregnancy, my answer is the same every time. 

Prenatal Pilates, hands down. 

If you’re not already a believer, or if you’re not really sure what Pilates even is, or if you’ve stumbled upon this blog and are just looking for a...

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Trimester by Trimester: Your Instruction Manual For Exercise and Movement

When most women find out they are pregnant, they think twice about what they feed their body and baby, striving for high nutritional value.  Sometimes they crave nutrient-dense food; other times it’s mashed potatoes and ice cream.  Like everything in life, there’s room for both, and finding a good balance is best.  The same is true for movement. 

What is your appetite for movement? 

If you crave intense, heart-pumping cardio, you may need to build in...

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Exercising Safely in Pregnancy

The second you get the positive results, whether it’s a missed period, peeing on a stick, a urine test from your doctor’s office, or bloodwork, or an ultrasound….you become acutely aware that the decisions you make affect more than just you.  From what you eat and drink (to what you can no longer eat and drink) to how much sleep you get or how much weight you lift, you don’t want to do anything to hurt the baby.  And if you’ve ever experienced a...

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The 8 Best Pilates Exercises for Pregnant Women

The benefits of exercising during pregnancy are indisputable.  Back pain reduction, easing constipation, decreasing your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and Cesarian delivery are only a few benefits.  But there’s also the promotion of healthy weight gain in pregnancy and help with losing the baby weight afterward. 

I always advise women to pick exercise programs that bring them happiness and joy instead of dreading the movement.  You have many choices...

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Delivery Day Fears

I’ve been working with pregnant women for over 10 years. 

In my Prenatal Pilates class, we start each class with a theme or educational topic. 

During our last class, once we’ve had a chance to get to know one another and let our guard down, the women take turns going around the room and sharing the fears they have approaching their delivery. 

I’ve heard literally hundreds of women bear their souls about what has them shaking in their maternity...

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Top 5 Exercise Principles That Every Mom-to-Be Should Follow

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! NOW, WHAT?!

If you look online, you’ll be bombarded with well-meaning fitness advice from well-intentioned trainers. This is not the time to put your body in the hands of an amateur. If we were friends (and I hope someday we will be!), here’s what I’d tell you:

  1. Immediately upon the egg implanting into your womb, your vessels experience dilation. But, you have the same amount of blood coursing through these now larger vessels which can...
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Exercise and Pregnancy Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Pickles

What if I told you there was a magic “elixir” with no side effects that you could take in pregnancy that might help reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling.

It may help prevent or even treat gestational diabetes.

While it could increase your energy, it will also help you sleep better at night.

Oh, and it will decrease your chances of requiring a Cesarean section, may decrease your postpartum recovery time and prevent depressive episodes in the postpartum period?...

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One Of My Favorite Stretches For Pregnant Moms!

I love the Pilates mermaid stretch!  It accomplishes so many things for my pregnant mamas, it feels so good, and it’s such a pretty move.  This is perfect for pregnant women who feel they are “running out of room” in their torso.  

It’s also a lovely exercise for pregnant women experiencing numbness and tingling in the upper extremities (once more serious nerve involvement has been ruled out).  While we most often think of these symptoms as relating...

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