Pregnancy & Labor Prep

Pelvic floor physical therapy can be a valuable treatment option for patients during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body undergoes significant changes that can put strain on the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding structures. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to address these changes, reduce discomfort, and prepare the body for childbirth. Here are some ways that pelvic floor physical therapy can treat pregnancy:

• Pelvic floor strengthening exercises: During pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles may weaken due to the increased weight and pressure on the pelvic region. Pelvic floor physical therapy can include exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve their function, which can help prevent conditions such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

• Pain management: Pregnancy can also cause pain in the pelvic region, lower back, hips, and legs. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to reduce pain and discomfort through manual therapy techniques such as massage, stretching, and trigger point release.
  
  Pelvic floor PTs also prepare patients for labor and childbirth in the following ways: 
    

• Education on optimal positions for labor and delivery: Pelvic floor physical therapists can educate pregnant individuals on optimal positions for labor and delivery, such as upright positions, that can help encourage the baby to descend and reduce the need for interventions such as forceps or vacuum extraction.

• Breathing and relaxation techniques: We can teach breathing and relaxation techniques that can help reduce stress and tension during labor and delivery.

• Perineal massage: We can teach pregnant patients how to perform perineal massage, which involves gently stretching the tissues around the vaginal opening. This can help reduce the risk of tearing during delivery.

• Education on pushing techniques: We can educate patients on proper pushing techniques to minimize time spent pushing as well as risk of tearing