Physical Therapy plays a large role in the prenatal care of every pregnant woman. This includes women who have urinary incontinence, history of prolapse, tearing, orthopedic concerns, or no concerns at all!
Women who attend physical therapy in the prenatal period learn how to recruit their abdominal wall and pelvic floor to maintain core activation throughout the pregnancy.
Women also learn critical aspects of posture, shoulder mobility, and pelvic stability to help prevent adverse long-term outcomes postpartum, such as lasting abdominal separation, and pelvic organ prolapse.
You can see your physical therapist as soon as you find out you're pregnant! I recommend this for any mamma with concerns about core activation, lifting techniques, or back, hip or pelvic pain.
Dealing with these problems as early as possible will improve outcomes for the rest of the pregnancy.
Here is what we look at in the first trimester
Bladder and bowel health
Workout planning for pregnancy
Core breathing and core strengthening
Diastasis Recti Prevention
Lifting mechanics
Fixing stuff that's already there!
Here are some examples of great first trimester exercises:
Although we typically do not perform internal exams in the first trimester, the first trimester is a really critical time to get started on a strengthening program and to start fixing aches, pains, and pelvic floor issues that are already present.
Here's What We Look At In The Second Trimester
Continue strengthening the core system
Pelvic floor muscle exam
Address any pain that has arisen
Coaching for adequate sleep and stress management
Second Trimester Exercises
What We Look At In The Third Trimester
Practice pelvic floor relaxation techniques and pushing
Practice positions for labor and delivery
Strategies to achieve optimal positioning for baby during labor
Maintaining core strength
Addressing pelvic pain, shoulder issues, or any other concerns that arise
Coaching for developing a birth team and referrals for providers
Plan for early postpartum follow up
Labor Positions
Conclusion
Physical Therapy is an integral part of prenatal care. Not only can it fix issues like pee leaks, constipation, pelvic pain, and abdominal weakness during pregnancy, it can help prevent them as well.
We are also highly focused on assisting you through labor and delivery through education and techniques to help support optimal fetal positioning.
There is nothing like staying strong and active during your pregnancy, especially if you have other toddlers or children at home.
If you are pregnant and ready to take action on your pelvic health, make sure to book your session today!
If you don't live in Albuquerque, you can still get help. Make sure to check out my online Pelvic Health Coaching Program here!
Want to learn more about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? Check out our blog on The Ultimate Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy here!