How can Pelvic Health Physio benefit your Pregnancy?


The female body is pretty amazing to be able to carry a baby for nine months, deliver a child through a usually very narrow space and then return back to its previous state. This is what the muscles and tissues are specifically designed to do. Having said that, pregnancy and childbirth is often one of the most physically challenging events we can ask of our bodies. It is no wonder then, that the pelvic floor muscles require some specific training and preparation leading up to delivery, as well as rehabilitation post-natally to return to their optimal function. 

The following diagrams show the muscles of the pelvic floor and also gives you an idea of how much these muscles need to stretch to allow for a baby's head to pass through. 

Female Pelvic Floor Muscles 
Pelvic Floor Muscles when baby's head is crowning during a vaginal delivery

I see a lot of women pre and post-natal for pelvic floor problems and prevention. Here are some areas that Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can help with: 

Pre-Natal
  • Postural education and alignment to help protect your back and pelvis. Good posture has also been suggested to help position baby head-down in the uterus along with certain positions.
  • Teach correct activation of the pelvic floor muscles to strengthen during the pregnancy which allows for much better muscle awareness and strength post-natally and also helps to stabilise the pelvis.
  • Education regarding exercise programs that are safe for both you and baby
  • Managing lower back, pelvic and sciatic pain
  • Preparing the pelvic floor muscles for labour and delivery
  • Teaching active birthing techniques and ways to manage pain during labour

 Post-Natal

  • Retraining pelvic floor function as required 
  • Managing muscle tightness or spasm
  • Treatment of perineal tears and scarring
  • Treatment of any post-natal conditions including: perineal tears, post-natal dyspareunia, rectus diastasis, urinary or faecal incontinence, prolapse
  • Education regarding a safe return to sport and physical activity

Click here to Find a Pelvic Health Physio in Canada or Australia. 


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