Spiers sometimes incorporates light weights and barbells. With physical therapist Melanie Spiers in the background, Sehmann tries to put her knees on the foam barbells to strengthen her back muscles. After putting on 20 or 30 pounds, you're used to being very heavy. It's very hard to work out, but it's easy in the water. Spiers also teaches her patients correct posture, how to lift objects safely and exercises they can do at home to relieve pain.
Doctors say they're happy to have more such programs available for their pregnant patients.
Barry Gross, a gynecologist in Newport News, believes the popularity of alternative medicine is behind the trend. This is a welcome addition to the very few things you can do to help pain during a pregnancy. Spiers thinks patients are simply more aware of their own health-care options and are demanding referrals. They don't say no. With her back against the hydrolic lift, Carrie Sehmann raises her legs toward the surface of the water to stengthen her back muscles.