Posted October 20, 2023

Physical therapy may not be one of the things you think of when preparing for delivery. However, physical therapy can be a great asset as part of your birth preparation plan.  

When we are expecting, we try and get all of our "ducks in a row" so to speak. We may designate an area or room in our home for baby. We may possibly decorate it so everything is ready for baby when he or she arrives. 

 We make sure we have all the of necessary supplies for baby.

We are hopefully, having regularly scheduled visits with our doctor to make sure our pregnancy is progressing accordingly. We may have scans and blood work performed and various other testing, and the list goes on.  

Those are all important aspects of childbirth preparation. We may not have thought to check to see if our musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints and bones) is in optimal condition to carry and deliver baby.   

At Lotus Physical Therapy for Women, PLLC women seek therapy prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy to be sure they are preparing their bodies as optimally for their pregnancy and delivery.

Women who are uncertain of their core strength, including pelvic floor muscle function often seek an evaluation and guidance on how to prepare their bodies for pregnancy and delivery.  

They may have a diastasis recti, or have pelvic organ prolapse or a history of lower back or sacroiliac dysfunction for example and want to have these conditions addressed prior to pregnancy.

During pregnancy, women may have back pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction, pelvic pain, ribcage or neck pain to name a few. They may be having difficulty functioning during pregnancy due to their pain.

They may have had a C-section and are trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section). 

Physical therapy can be extremely helpful to address these problems and help maximize health and wellbeing during pregnancy.

Some women are referred by their physician or other healthcare provider in the second and third trimester to make sure that their pelvis is aligned and pelvic floor musculature is functioning well , again in order to optimize their delivery.

Women often want and require guidance on exercise during pregnancy and postpartum.

Pelvic physical therapy is a great pathway for guidance during these times.

For reference, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's guidelines for exercise during pregnancy can be found by clicking the link below. 

 https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy

Lotus Physical Therapy for Women, PLLC requires that patients are being followed by a physician during pregnancy and are cleared by their physician for physical therapy postpartum.

If you would like guidance before, during pregnancy or after delivery, schedule your appointment for an evaluation to see how we can help.