By: Dr. Allie and Dr. Nahir
Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, but if you've ever been pregnant, you know that it can bring about various physical changes and challenges. Ever cough when you're 8 months pregnant and have that immediate instinct to cross your legs just in case? What about trying to put on shoes in the second trimester and feeling a sheering pain in your pubic bone? Another one we hear about regularly is trying to work out when pregnant and not knowing how to modify exercise for your changing body, so that you can still do the activities you love.
Amongst the beauty and joy of pregnancy, the reality is that your body is changing and needs more support. The pelvic floor muscles are one area that often gets overlooked during pregnancy. It plays a crucial role in supporting the growing baby and maintaining our overall well-being. Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical or occupational therapy and it’s not just for after birth. Therapy can offer numerous benefits during your pregnancy. Here are some of our favorites:
Pain Relief: Regardless of what you have been told, you are not meant to experience pain during pregnancy. We see women with debilitating pain during pregnancy all the time. It's not normal and there is so much that we can do to help. Whether it's lower back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain or other discomfort, we are here to help manage this as your body adjusts to growing a baby. We use various techniques to alleviate these discomforts, making pregnancy a more pleasant experience.
Improved Pelvic Floor Function: As the pregnancy progresses, the pelvic floor muscles can become weak or imbalanced leading to a host of other issues. Pelvic floor therapy helps women maintain or regain proper pelvic floor function, which is crucial for a pain free pregnancy, as well as labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.
Prevention and Treatment of Urinary Leakage: Most of us have been there. Cough a little too hard, try to jump on the trampoline and suddenly feel that leak of urine. Many women experience urinary incontinence or other bladder issues due to the pressure on the bladder caused by the growing uterus. Pelvic floor therapy can teach techniques to help manage these issues and even prevent them from occurring at all.
Enhanced Mobility: As the body changes during pregnancy, maintaining mobility can be a challenge. Ever tried to touch your toes in pregnancy? It gets to be a challenge later in pregnancy. We can provide exercises and stretches tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that you can move with greater ease and comfort.
Preparation for Labor and Delivery: This is one of our favorites! Pelvic floor therapy can play a significant role in preparing the body for labor and delivery. Imagine trying to push a baby out when your pelvic floor muscles are tense. It’s not ideal. Therapists can teach relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and positions that may be useful during labor, helping to enhance the birthing experience and help you achieve your birth goals.
Postpartum Recovery: Learning how to connect with your pelvic floor as well as exercises and good habits in pregnancy is a game-changer for postpartum recovery. We are here to set you up for success and address any postpartum concerns as well. There is no substitute for the expertise of a pelvic floor therapist postpartum. Therapy aids in the healing process especially when there are things like tears, C-section scars, prolapse, the presence of diastasis recti etc. It's immensely helpful for women in regaining strength and function in the pelvic floor more quickly so you can get back to your individual goals whether it's keeping up with your kids, being intimate with your partner without pain or getting back to heavy weightlifting.
Emotional Support: Pregnancy can be an emotional journey as well, and pelvic floor therapy sessions can provide a safe and supportive environment for you to discuss your concerns and receive guidance from healthcare professionals.
Pelvic floor therapy is a valuable resource for pregnant women that can enhance their overall well-being during pregnancy and postpartum. By addressing pain, improving pelvic floor function, and providing emotional support, it empowers women to have a more comfortable and positive pregnancy and birthing experience. If you're expecting, we encourage you to consider the potential benefits of pelvic floor therapy for you now and not waiting until the postpartum period. Call today at 321-31-6285, to schedule with our incredible team.
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