Originally published on March 1, 2023 by Vital Physiotherapy & Wellness, now part of the Bravella Health network. Original author: Julie Bagshaw.
By: Julie Bagshaw, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
These days, the term pelvic floor physiotherapy is much more common and increasingly individuals are educating themselves on these muscles, what is normal and what is not normal. Women and their health care providers understand that pelvic physio is helpful postpartum, but I still find that many clients ask me ‘Is Pelvic Physiotherapy something that can benefit me when I am pregnant as well?’. My answer is always an absolute YES!
Here are 5 ways that a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you before you deliver:
1) Less symptoms during pregnancy
The joy of being pregnant, reading about what to expect, decorating a nursery and preparing for a baby shower can sometimes be overshadowed by some pesky symptoms such as pelvic girdle or low back pain and urinary incontinence. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you manage these and many other symptoms so that you can actually enjoy your pregnancy by reducing or preventing these symptoms before they start![1,2] It’s also very important to remain active when you are pregnant to improve the health of both mom and baby (e.g improved mood, lower risk of blood pressure issues) and a pelvic physiotherapist can help you adapt and modify the exercise you enjoy to help you achieve these benefits.[3]
2) Improved confidence about labour
Pelvic floor physiotherapists prepare you for the marathon that is childbirth! They can educate you on the best positions for labour and delivery,[4] perineal stretching to help reduce tearing and lower the chance of an episiotomy,[5] how to push to allow baby to come out most easily and how to advocate for yourself in the delivery room to improve your delivery experience.
3) Improved birth outcome
Evidence suggests that pelvic floor muscle training programs have been associated with shortening the time spent in stage 1 and 2 of labour and a better chance at lower perineal trauma, particularly if this is your first delivery.[6]
4) Easier postpartum recovery
Building a connection to your deep core and pelvic floor before delivery can make it easier for you to re-train these muscles postpartum when your body will be changing rapidly. You will feel confident in which exercises to start with and when, making it easier to strengthen your core and get back to the activities you enjoy!
5) Connect you with a network of postpartum resources
Being sleep deprived is hard enough, many moms are not prepared to manage the ups and downs of breastfeeding, digestion or sleep issues. Often times, pelvic physios are well connected in the community to be able to direct you to various resources to navigate this postpartum period with trusted referral sources such as lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, sleep consultants, pediatric chiropractors/physio/dentist etc..
References
- Romeikienė KE, Bartkevičienė D. Pelvic-floor dysfunction prevention in prepartum and postpartum periods. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(4):387. doi:10.3390/medicina57040387
- Van Kampen M, Devoogdt N, De Groef A, et al. The efficacy of physiotherapy for the prevention and treatment of prenatal symptoms: a systematic review. Int Urogynecol J. 2015;26(11):1575-1586. doi:10.1007/s00192-015-2684-y
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period: ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178-e188. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003772
- Gupta JK, Sood A, Hofmeyr GJ, Vogel JP. Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;5(5):CD002006. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002006.pub4
- Beckmann MM, Stock OM. Antenatal perineal massage for reducing perineal trauma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(4):CD005123. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005123.pub3
- Du Y, Xu L, Ding L, Wang Y, Wang Z. The effect of antenatal pelvic floor muscle training on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2015;26(10):1415-1427. doi:10.1007/s00192-015-2654-4
