Story by Pfc. Michael Udejiofor

FORT STEWART, Ga. – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division that are pregnant and postpartum have a physical training program that’s tailored just for them that takes place daily on Fort Stewart.

The Fort Stewart Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Program, dubbed P3T, aims to help female Soldiers return to their pre-pregnancy combat readiness and successfully integrate back into their units’ physical training programs.

“The whole emphasis was to have something for the pregnant and postpartum Soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Parror D. Jones, the 3rd ID P3T Program installation trainer. “It takes some time for the body to recover after birth.”

The P3T program offers education classes involving changes during pregnancy, postpartum depression, finance, parenting, lactation and a wide-array of exercise techniques.

“The program helps your body improve from where we were at,” said Sgt. Adera Nash, participant of the 3rd ID P3T Program. “We have to overcome the mental block that we’re not the same as we used to be.”

Physical activity during pregnancy enhances posture, relieves stress and builds more stamina needed for labor and delivery. Moderate exercise and maintaining fitness during the pregnancy also helps throughout the postpartum period. It prepares them to return to the rigors required of Soldiers in training for combat.

“We all heard [noncommissioned officers] say that if you want to get better at running, just go run more, but when we’re dealing with pregnant Soldiers, there are other medical issues we need to be aware of,” said Jones. “At the end of the day, our goal in the P3T program is the same as the unit: it is all about the Soldiers readiness.”

Jones said that through the program, participants have to check-in with their primary doctors prior to joining the training. Once they get the proper documentation, the trainers tailor the training according to their individual needs.

Once a month, postpartum Soldiers take a modified Army Combat Fitness Test while enrolled in the program, administered within the scope of their tailored fitness plans. The goal is for them to be able to healthily make progress towards passing the ACFT prior to returning to their units’ physical training programs.

“Having nurses, installation instructors, occupational help and medical experts in our team that really care about the Soldiers,” said Jones. “With all of us working together is what makes us accomplish the program.”