Did you know that seeing a pelvic floor therapist during your pregnancy can help you prepare for labor and delivery?
BOTTOM LINE: What you do in your 40 weeks of pregnancy matter more than what you do during the few hours/days of labor/delivery. You have to prepare your body!
During a vaginal birth, the pelvic floor muscles, which are located at the base of the pelvis, have the job of relaxing, lengthening, and opening up to allow the baby to enter and exit the vaginal canal.
Here is a side view of the pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles are in red and connect from the pubic bone (front) to the tailbone (back) and surround each canal, including the urethra, vagina, and rectum.
With a pelvic floor PT, you will understand and learn about your pelvic floor and how to connect to your pelvic floor.
WHAT WILL I LEARN FROM A PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST?
You will learn techniques to optimize the labor and delivery process. These include:
Pelvic floor relaxation techniques
Pushing and breathing techniques
Exercises to help baby engage and/or rotate into the mid-portion of the pelvis
Perineal massage to decrease severity and risk of tearing
Labor and birthing positions
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A PELVIC FLOOR PT FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY PREP?
Most of my clients interested in labor/delivery prep begin around 30 weeks; however, it does not hurt to start connecting to your pelvic floor and core, and optimize body awareness to decrease and prevent the possibility of aches and pains during pregnancy, including
Round ligament pain
Pubic symphysis pain
SIJ pain
Low back pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Foot pain
Rib pain
If you're interested, please book an appointment with me! Would love to work with you!
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