The recovery of pelvic floor muscles has become a focal point in the healthcare industry, particularly when it comes to prenatal care. Many people are doubtful about whether to go for a prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy consultation before giving birth or not. Here, we have come up to clarify all your doubts.
Experts advise you to consult a maternity physiotherapist because it is a phenomenal way to prepare your body and pelvic floor muscles for childbirth. So, get ready to train and relax your pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy. Find the benefits of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy here –.
What is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
A Pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy is a form of physiotherapy that focuses on the pelvic floor muscles and their rehabilitation. Pelvic floor muscles are between the tailbone and pubic bone within the pelvis and provide support to internal pelvic organs, including the bladder, rectum, and uterus. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a professional who is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat several conditions related to pelvic health, like prolapse, incontinence, etc.
How Does Pregnancy Affect the Pelvic Floor?
Pregnancy significantly impacts the pelvic floor, with added weight and hormonal changes increasing the risk of urinary incontinence and other disorders. Understanding these effects and the role of medical history is crucial for managing women’s pelvic floor health during this time.
Physical Changes
There is no denying the fact that nearly 50% of women experience pelvic floor disorders symptoms even before childbirth. Women gain weight. This is not just the baby's weight but also the placenta's weight, enlarged uterus, and increased blood volume. This extra weight puts pressure on the women’s pelvic floor muscles, thereby posing an increased risk of urinary incontinence.
It is common to experience constipation during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Hormonal changes and the weight of the growing uterus result in difficulty in passing stools. Furthermore, this weakens pelvic floor muscles of females.
Hormonal Changes
When it comes to hormonal changes, the placenta secretes the hormone named relaxin to increase the flexibility in ligaments and soften the cervix. These changes in the body of the pregnant woman prepare her for birth. Consequently, pelvis bones loosen, leading to increased flexibility and instability.
Medical History
The medical history of women is also one crucial factor that determines the risk of pelvic floor disorders. Women who have a medical history of connective tissue disorders, smoking, or chronic constipation are more prone to pain in pelvic floor muscles. Also, a history of obesity or repeated heavy lifting can pose an increased risk.
When To Start Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy?
It's best to begin pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy (in the early stages). The earlier you start, the better prepared your body will be for the physical demands of childbirth and the recovery process post-delivery. So, go to a professional physiotherapist for pregnant women and let yourself experience a healthy pregnancy.
What Can a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Assess and Treat During Pregnancy?
The process of prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy demands the assistance of a professional maternity physiotherapist to address pelvic pain issues and prepare your body for the smooth delivery of the baby. Pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy addresses the following issues –
Incontinence.
Exercise to make the delivery process easy.
Exercises for posy-partum recovery, known as postpartum physiotherapy.
Pain related to intercourse.
Prolapse.
Planned or unplanned cesarean birth.
Lower back pain or hip pain.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist During Pregnancy
The benefits of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy are immense. Let's know them in detail.
Improved Confidence
A woman is prepared for the marathon (childbirth) when she is pregnant. Pregnancy massage therapy helps her during labor and delivery and perineal stretching so that she can reduce the chances of an episiotomy (Incision between the vaginal opening and anus).
Besides, she also comes to know about the pushing methods to make the baby easily come out and ultimately improve the delivery experience.
Stabilization Exercises to Avoid Discomfort During Pregnancy
Pregnancy increases laxity in your joints and ligaments, which results in pain. You can do simple stabilization exercises to keep these discomforts at bay. Many people are of the notion that gentle stretching and prenatal yoga are enough in pregnancy. But the reality is different. Women need more core stabilization, lower back, and hip strengthening to support their changing body structure effectively.
Some general pelvic exercises for pregnancy recommended for women are squats, banded walks, deadlifts, and side planks, to name a few. Also, exercises like lunging, deadlifts, and squatting protect your pack. However, you should always consult a professional pelvic floor physiotherapist during pregnancy to know the suitable forms of exercise and your limitations.
Understanding Breath Connection
The next in the list of benefits of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy is understanding the breath connection. It is a harsh reality that most of us don't breathe well. We mostly breathe solely into our chest and upper cavities, especially in stressed or painful situations.
Your ribs accommodate by flaring outwards to create more space with the growth of the baby. Most pregnant women breathe from their neck and upper thoracic cavity due to less room for the diaphragm to descend.
A physiotherapist for pregnant women helps you with the process of tapping into your diaphragmatic breathing for better relaxation and more oxygen intake and prepares your body in a better way for labor. Having the assistance of professional prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy by your side helps increase your confidence in your breath and movement patterns before the birth of the baby.
Pelvic Floor Coordination
Prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy starts with the assessment of pelvic floor coordination. Your muscles should be able to contract, relax, and bear down efficiently. This is necessary if you want to have a smooth delivery process.
Often, women have less body awareness and think that their pelvic floor is lengthening, but the reality is just the opposite. The pelvic floor muscles are contracting. This case increases the risk of vaginal tearing during the pushing phase of the labor. A pregnancy physiotherapist can help you attain pelvic floor coordination.
Improved Birth Outcome
Many studies say that prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy training reduces the chances drastically of perineal trauma, especially when it is your first delivery. Hence, you will get an improved birth outcome.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Post Pregnancy
There are several benefits of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy. And the same goes true when it comes to pelvic floor physiotherapy after birth. Let's find out more –
Easier Postpartum Recovery
Your body changes a lot in the postpartum phase. Being successful in maintaining a connection between deep core and pelvic floor muscles before delivery simplifies the process of retraining these muscles during postpartum. Postpartum physiotherapy exercises allow you to feel confident and make you know the exercises to do to strengthen your core.
Improved Pelvic Muscle Strength
By continuing pelvic floor physiotherapy after birth, you restore strength to the muscles that support your pelvic organs, reducing the likelihood of incontinence or prolapse.
Improved Bladder Control
Pelvic floor therapy strengthens the muscles responsible for bladder control, which can help reduce or eliminate urinary incontinence after childbirth.
Faster recovery from Birth Trauma
For women who experience birth trauma (e.g., perineal tearing or cesarean section), pelvic floor physiotherapy aids in the recovery process by promoting healing and muscle coordination. The benefits of pelvic floor physiotherapy after birth accelerate the healing process to promote blood flow, and minimize pain and discomfort.
Best Pelvic Exercises to Perform During Pregnancy
Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy is necessary to maintain strength and flexibility in the pelvic floor. Here are a few key exercises to consider –
Kegel Exercises
The Kegel exercises is involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. These pelvic exercises for pregnancy improve muscle tone and help prevent incontinence.
Pelvic Tilts
Pelvic tilts help relieve back pain by strengthening the lower back and abdominal muscles. It's a simple movement that can reduce discomfort and improve posture.
Bridge Pose
This pregnancy physiotherapy exercise targets the glutes, lower back, and core muscles. Bridge Pose helps maintain pelvic alignment and reduce pain.
Squats
Squats strengthen the legs, glutes, and core. This functional exercise prepares your body for the effort of labor by promoting flexibility and strength in key muscle groups.
Tailor Sit
The tailor sit position opens up the hips and stretches the pelvic floor, improving flexibility and supporting the body's changing shape during pregnancy.
To Make a Long Story Short
You cannot deny the immense benefits of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy. Getting the assistance of pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy is an invaluable resource for expectant mothers, offering tailored care that addresses the unique challenges of this transformative period.
At RMT Movement, we specialize in prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy designed to meet your unique needs during this transformative period. Whether you’re preparing for labor, addressing discomfort, or looking for postpartum recovery support, our expert physiotherapists are here to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t wait to take control of your pelvic health. Contact us today and let us help you achieve a confident, comfortable, and empowering pregnancy journey.
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