pregnant is such a wonderful adventure, but it’s tough on the body growing a tiny human.
Common conditions that physiotherapy can help are:
Lower back pain
Pelvic Girdle pain
Pain at the front of the pelvis (pubic bone),
Sacrum pain
Tailbone/coccyx pain
Supports and braces are available to hire/purchase
Pelvic floor related symptoms such as prolapse, leaking, constipation
Varicose veins
Carpel Tunnel (hand pain and numbness) - splints are available to purchase and/or hire
Physiotherapy can help ease the symptoms, and give you a treatment plan to hep manage them. You do not have to suffer with back and pelvic pain just because you are pregnant.
Pregnancy WOF
One of the most common questions we get asked as pelvic floor physiotherapists is “What can I do to protect my pelvic floor during birth?”
The answer to this is pretty long so Lesley wrote a blog to help answer this question.
This WOF is recommended by 30 weeks at the latest - the earlier the better. We can assess your individual risk of birthing injuries and pelvic floor dysfunction…and help you significantly decrease those risks.
If you would like a more general discussion, this can be done at any time in your pregnancy from before you find out you are pregnant until baby arrives.
We can chat about:
Pelvic floor concerns and potential injuries
Tummy separation
Any pregnancy related pain e.g. back, pelvic girdle, wrist, neck, hip (there are splints and braces and supports for sale/hire through the clinic)
Importance of breathing and teaching you breathing and pushing techniques
Pain management options
The early post-natal period
Safe exercise in pregnancy & early post natal
Exercise during pregnancy
Gone are the days when pregnancy had women sitting around waiting for baby to arrive. Women are getting active and keeping strong instead. There are so many great benefits of exercising in pregnancy including:
Improved heart function
Decreased risk of gestational diabetes & high blood pressure
Limits weight gain & fat retention
Improved mental state – decreased incidences of postpartum depression and improved body image
Improved fitness
Decreased lumbar and pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
Labour is shorter, easier and less complicated
What is the right amount of exercise, and what is safe? There is a lot of ‘woolly’ information on this subject, and depending what you read on Google, see on Social Media or who you talk to, there’s a whole lot of conflicting advice on this. Unfortunately many fitness professionals are not trained in working with women during pregnancy, and give incorrect advice on modifying their exercise.
There are a number of absolute contraindications to exercise in pregnancy, and High Risk pregnancies will need to be monitored closely.
The bottom line is everybody’s body is different, and no two pregnancies are the same, therefore treatment and advice must be individualised. There are guidelines about what is safe and unsafe during pregnancy, and your level of fitness and activity prior to pregnancy also plays a big part.
Lesley has completed her Advanced Pregnancy Wellness Practitioner Level 2 training, meaning you are in the best hands with your fitness journey. If you would like some advice about exercising in pregnancy, make an appointment and lets chat!
Pregnancy is not only growing your baby, but preparing for life after their grand entrance. Labour puts an enormous amount of strain on your body and pelvic floor and some women do develop dysfunction. Exercises in pregnancy is like preparing your body for the increased challenges it will face in the post natal period. It’s never to late to start walking or getting some exercises in now…while you have the time!
