Pregnancy
Wondering how physio can be helpful during pregnancy? Below are just a few ways in which we help mums to be.
Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Physiotherapists who specialise in pelvic health are trained to help you prepare your pelvic floor and perineum for labour.
These physiotherapists can educate you on effective perineal massage. Perineal massage has been shown to be an effective technique that has been shown to:
decrease the risk of needing an episiotomy
decrease the risk of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears
decrease the duration of second stage of labour
reduce perineal pain felt postpartum
help familiarise you to the feeling of pressure and stretch on the perineum
Pelvic floor muscle training (with a focus on learning a lift and let go) has also been shown to reduce the second stage of labour. This is thought to be due to learning how to contract and relax your pelvic floor so you should have a better awareness of how to push before labour.
Musculoskeletal Pain
The body goes through many amazing hormonal and physical changes that allow your baby to develop and grow. These changes can sometimes have unintended side effects and cause discomfort for mums to be.
Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain: Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain is a common condition in pregnancy that impacts every one in two pregnant women in Australia. It can range from being mildly uncomfortable to causing severe pain. The exact cause of pelvic girdle pain is still being investigated and there are many theories as to why this pain occurs. However, physiotherapy, in many women has been shown to be an effective method to reduce pain.
General Aches and Pains: As baby grows, the body often changes the way it moves to accomodate for this. Sometimes, when our body isn’t used to moving in a particular way, it can place pressure on different parts of the body and this can cause discomfort and pain. Often this is nothing to fear, it is just your body having done too much of a new movement and sending signals it may be struggling with this new load. Physiotherapists can assess how you are moving and design strength and mobility programs to ensure you are strong to cope with the demands of your growing body.
Time for Thinking About Postpartum..
Although postpartum may not be at the front of your mind during pregnancy, it is a great time to discuss how to take care of yourself in the postpartum period.
In the hospital setting postpartum advice is often given immediately following delivery. During this time you may be sleep deprived, fatigued and in acute pain and not be in the headspace to take on a lot of new information. By providing education during pregnancy for the early postnatal period we hope to improve your recovery after delivery.
