How can Physical Therapy help me during Pregnancy and Postpartum?
I was recently approached by a lovely woman who told me she was pregnant with her first child. She explained to me that she wanted to make sure that her pregnancy period and postpartum period were top notch. She wanted to be ahead of the game. So she wanted to have a conversation about Pelvic Health PT. Wow.
First of all, I hope that the future is full of more conversations like this. Unfortunately, I tend to have more conversations on the other end of the spectrum. Women often feel unprepared or lost during this season, especially if it’s their first pregnancy.
So let’s dive in as to how Physical Therapy can help during pregnancy and postpartum seasons.
Physical Therapy During Pregnancy
1. Having PAIN? PT can really help you if you’re hurting while pregnant. We’re movement specialists. And we understand that your body is going through a lot of changes. We can assess your movement and suggest exercises, positions, equipment, etc. to ease your pain. Manual therapy techniques can also be a great tool.
2. Want to avoid Vaginal tearing during labor and delivery? We can help here too. Learning to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor is really important. We can also teach you how to massage and prepare the vaginal tissues for birth which can decrease your chances of tearing.
3. Wanting to know what exercise is OK? Research has really been improving in the last few years. We don’t have all the answers, but we can provide some solid guidelines on appropriate exercise prescription during this time.
Physical Therapy During the Postpartum Season
1. Want to heal well after delivery? PT can offer guidance during this time. We tailor programs to patients based off of their goals. We also take into account your labor and delivery when we prescribe exercises or make suggestions.
2. Leaking urine? Urinary leakage can be caused by a few things. A good pelvic health PT can help you determine the root cause. And then help you get better.
3. Wanting to get back to exercise or start exercising? Again, we can tailor an exercise program that works for your life and addresses your goals and needs.
4. Pain? Whether it’s back pain, pain during sex, tailbone pain, you name it. We can help. A lot of attention is paid to the pelvic floor and core. We can help guide you back to pain-free activities.
Other Thoughts
1. Have you considered hiring a DOULA? They can be an awesome coach, supporter, and advocate during pregnancy and postpartum.
2. Physical Therapists don’t mind talking to your doctor and collaborating. A team effort is the best approach to YOUR care.
3. You can see a Physical Therapist proactively. We can help you stay as healthy as possible and just maybe avoid some problematic issues.
Here at Pelvic Health PT by Dr. Cortney, we would be happy to have a phone conversation if you have any questions about physical therapy in relation to the pregnancy and postpartum seasons. If you aren’t in one of the states we treat (Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma), then we would be happy to help you find a PT near you.