Pregnancy and Postpartum Physiotherapy
Pregnancy and postpartum care is essential for a healthy mom and baby. Maintaining health, physical activity and controlling any other symptoms that may occur during pregnancy or delivery is important.
Pregnancy and postpartum physiotherapy can help keep you mobile, pain free and address other side effects that can arise.
Your body transforms during pregnancy to adapt for the baby and to prepare for delivery. Many moms to be have very little discomfort and can continue the same level of activity as before pregnancy. Unfortunately due to physiological changes some women can experience pelvic/hip or lumbar pain, bladder symptoms such as urgency , frequency or urinary leakages, constipation or changes with their bowel routine.
I am here to help get you through your pregnancy with as minimal discomfort as possible. I can also give you good advice regarding exercises, birthing positioning, pelvic floor muscle training and perineal massage to increase your chances of a positive birth experience. This is where you can find instructions on how to perform perineal massage from Baby IT
I also work closely with a naturopathic doctor and pregnancy acupuncturists that can help guide you through pregnancy and delivery.
Pregnancy and Sex
If you are having a healthy pregnancy and no risks for pre-term labour (i.e. high blood pressure or multiple pregnancy), you can have sex as often as you want. Some women can even have increased libido due to hormone changes. Having sex does not increase the risk of miscarriage (1), as usually miscarriage happens because the fetus is not developing normally. You may need to be creative as your belly grows, as some positions may no longer be feasible.
Pregancy App for BC Residents
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SmartMom is a free text messaging program that sends you information timed to your stage of pregnancy to help you achieve healthy pregnancy and birth. |
POSTPARTUM HEALTH
During pregnancy and delivery the women's body will change significantly. Postpartum recovery is essential for long-term pelvic health. During the first year after delivery the women's ligament, hormones and tissues are still changing (especially in lactating mothers). It is a good window to treat any symptoms initiated during pregnancy or after delivery.
How can postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy help women?
- By assessing postural control, pelvis and back alignment, and any pattern of pain
- By assessing the abdominal muscles and Diastasis recti (abdomen separation)
- By perform internal pelvic examination including pelvic organ prolapse evaluation, pelvic floor muscles (PFM) evaluation and establishing pain patterns and vaginal sensitivity
- By treating PFM dysfunction with manual therapy, biofeedback, trigger point release, relaxation and stretches
- By treating bladder or bowel dysfunction using behavioural therapy, bladder and bowel training
- By providing education including preventative treatments
- By helping with core retraining and postural control
- By helping moms feel stronger and go back to their level of activity
When should I see a pelvic health Physiotherapist?
- Over 4-8 weeks post-partum after vaginal delivery and 8 weeks or over after C-section delivery
- Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence (Leaking Urine Involuntarily)
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse, or sensation of vaginal heaviness with standing and activities
- Traumatic birth with vaginal or perineal tearing
- Frequency and urgencies
- Fecal Incontinence
- Diastasis Recti
- Pain with Sex
- To receive more information on post-partum health and recovery
