Many folks wonder what exactly pelvic floor PT looks like when you are pregnant.
Not long ago, pelvic floor PT wasn't very well known, so we can understand why, within this specialty population, it might be a little bit confusing as to how pelvic floor PT is applied to just pregnancy and how it differs from treatment outside of pregnancy.
It's also fairly common for pelvic PT to not be recommended by most providers outside of physical therapists. But pregnancy PT is so great for every woman who is pregnant and preparing for birth, no matter how far along or how many births they have experienced already.
If you're doing your research and wondering whether pelvic floor PT is for you, read this blog and also check out another blog we have on when to start pelvic floor PT during pregnancy.
What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy involves treating the muscles, ligaments, joints, and organs that sit within the pelvis and are supported by the pelvic floor muscles.
Just as a physical therapist helps patients recover from muscle, joint, or bone concerns involving other joints like the knees, ankles, and shoulders, pelvic floor physical therapists help patients with concerns that are in the area of the pelvis, hip, core, and back
In addition, like traditional physical therapy, pelvic floor physical therapy utilizes the same modalities like manual therapy, exercises, postural and lifestyle corrections, and evidence based education and modifications to help improve symptoms in order to keep you active.
Why the Pelvic Floor Matters During Pregnancy
The pelvic floor supports your organs, but really your entire body during pregnancy.
Without a strong, but also flexible pelvic floor, the body doesn’t have support which can cause symptoms such as pain, leakage, and pelvic pressure.
In addition, the growing belly and baby changes a woman’s posture and movements.
This can have serious effects on how the pelvic floor functions and works with the rest of our body like our back, hips, and core.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms Pelvic Floor PT Can Help With
Anything that someone has ever told you is just a part of pregnancy is not just a part of pregnancy and is something that we can help you with.
Pelvic floor PT can help with common pregnancy symptoms like:
back pain
hip pain
pelvic girdle (SI joint, or pubic symphysis) pain
leakage
pelvic pressure
constipation.
Is Pelvic Floor PT Safe During Pregnancy?
Pelvic floor PT is absolutely safe during pregnancy and in fact is important to support a healthy pregnancy and keep you comfortable as your body changes.
Pelvic floor PT does traditionally involve an internal pelvic floor muscle assessment in order to see whether the pelvic floor muscles are able to contract, relax, and coordinate with the rest of the body.
As long as you are cleared to have penetrative intercourse, you can participate in the internal portion of pelvic floor therapy.
If, however, you are on pelvic rest or if you simply would not like to have a pelvic floor assessment, an internal examination and treatment can absolutely be deferred.
Since the pelvic floor works with the rest of our body, treatment to the back, hips, and core is usually incorporated with pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first session of pelvic floor therapy will consist of a lot of talking.
During this session, your therapist will work with you to understand how your pregnancy is progressing, what your birth intentions are, whether you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, as well as collect any other relevant information regarding your history and pregnancy.
After you go through a thorough history, your therapist will take some measurements and with consent will do an assessment. This involves looking at how your hips, core, back, function.
If you are willing, and if your history indicates the need, a pelvic floor examination may be suggested.
During this assessment, the therapist inserts a single gloved finger into the vagina to see how the pelvic floor muscles are contracting and relaxing.
After your initial evaluation, your therapist will design a treatment plan starting with symptom management, and progressing to birth preparation.
Preparing for Labor and Delivery
As we near labor and delivery, your treatment will begin to work on hip, spine, and pelvic floor opening exercises and hands on treatment.
During delivery, the pelvic floor muscles need to be able to open and relax, so much of the treatment during the end of pregnancy will contain education and exercises to help achieve this.
We will also discuss labor positions, optimal pushing mechanics, and pain control options.
Planning for Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery is paramount to improving the function and strength of the core, pelvic floor, and body after pregnancy.
We begin planning for postpartum recovery during the end of pregnancy.
Early in rehab (the first 6 weeks) we discuss how to heal the perineum and pelvic floor, as well as help our patients safely move their healing bodies.
Once we move further into postpartum recovery, we focus on rebuilding strength, function and full return to activity.
Where to Find Pregnancy PT and Birth Prep in Bucks County
If you’re local to Doylestown or Newtown, PA, we’d love to help you with all things pregnancy-related and prepping for birth.
We offer pregnancy pelvic therapy and birth prep sessions for those who are pregnant and want to prep for an optimal birth and decrease the risk of birth-related injury, trauma, and tearing.
We’d love to work with you. Feel free to schedule online or reach out to us if you have questions before getting started.
We proudly put our patients first by offering one-on-one appointments for a full hour. You will have time to be heard and we will take time to listen to your whole story.
You won’t be passed between different professionals and we will work to get you a holistic solution to your pelvic health concerns.
We choose to participate in a private pay model so that we can focus on putting patients first.
