Prenatal and Postnatal Physiotherapy
Prenatal and Postnatal Physiotherapy
Pregnancy is one of the most important stage in a women’s life where she undergoes lots of physical and psychological changes in her body. Physiotherapy can play a major role to support the changes in the body due to growing baby in the abdomen. The growing abdomen and increase in weight and size of the baby from the second trimester, the postural balance of the body changes. The whole weight of the abdomen and growing baby causes pressure on the pelvic muscles. As a result, the pressure is then laid to the underlying muscles, joints and ligaments which causes lower back pain and muscle cramps.
Prenatal Physiotherapy
Prenatal Physiotherapy is a preventive measure and support to prepare physically and mentally for labor and delivery. Prenatal physiotherapy mainly pelvic floor physiotherapy provides a huge relief for lower back pain and other symptoms. Depending on the concern by the attending gynecologist and the patient, the physiotherapist will assess and treat which may include hand-on therapy, exercise prescription, patient education to address specific conditions, prevent pelvic floor issues, and preparation for delivery.
Time to Approach Physiotherapist in Pregnancy:
Physiotherapist usually advised in the second trimester or as directed by the attending gynecologist depending on patient’s status. Physiotherapy differ from one patient to other depending on many conditions such as position of the fetus in the uterus, position of placenta, opening of the cervix, cervix length, size of the fetus, size and shape of pelvic girdle, etc. Pelvic physiotherapy and Pelvis floor physiotherapy is usually advised by the majority of gynecologist and midwives.
Pelvic Physiotherapy
The focus of pelvic physiotherapy is to eliminate pelvic issues caused by the urinary bladder, bowel, pelvic girdle, abdomen separation, etc. Pelvic physiotherapy mainly addresses the signs and symptoms such as Bladder leakage or urinary incontinence, chronic constipation, urinary frequency, pelvic girdle pain mainly vaginal pain, lower back pain, and pain in the hip.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
The focus of Pelvic floor physiotherapy is on lengthening the muscles to prepare for delivery, strengthening the core, learning how to push, and addressing any existing concerns. A pelvic floor is a group of muscles, tendons, and ligaments deep within the body that supports the hip, lower back, and abdomen. Pregnancy and vaginal birth can weaken these muscles causing lots of issues ranging from mild pain to severe pelvic organ prolapse. To prevent all these, Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a must.
Post Natal Physiotherapy
Every woman has different postpartum goals, some want to return back to their normal shape and weight, some wish to be pain-free when caring for the baby, some wish to run a marathon in four months, and so on. The focus of post-natal physiotherapy is to help the patient get back to doing their normal activities and be healthy and achieve their goals. Post-natal physiotherapy also helps to treat post-natal complications such as Diastema Recti(abdomen separation), pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, incontinence of stool and flatus, and pelvic floor neuropathy. In addition to promoting weight loss, improving cardiorespiratory fitness, reducing postnatal depression and anxiety, and improving psychological well-being, post-natal physiotherapy improves the quality of life.
