Physiotherapy during pregnancy: how can it help us?

Pregnancy is a process that affects a woman both physically and emotionally. It’s a transformation that puts the body under a great deal of stress. What’s more, these changes take place over a very short space of time. This can lead to the discomfort and pain that are considered typical during pregnancy. Back ache, pelvic discomfort and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, among others. It’s possible to improve these conditions during the nine months in order to help ensure your optimum recovery after the birth. This can be done by means of physiotherapy, which is a great help for mums-to-be.

How can physiotherapy help you in pregnancy?

• It will help you to train and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles in preparation for birth, which will aid delivery. It will also show you how to do perineal massage, which will aid dilation during labour. Working hard on your pelvic floor will help with your post-partum recovery and prevent some of the typical consequences of childbirth: urinary incontinence or even prolapse.
• You’ll learn how to control and manage your breathing, which is so useful when you’re in labour.
• You’ll learn how to push, so that when the time comes you’ll know how to do it correctly, effectively and without damaging the perineal muscles.
• By doing pelvic floor exercises, you’ll be able to control the pain more easily when you’re giving birth.
• To prevent the typical back ache caused by your increasingly large and heavy belly, the physiotherapist will be able to give you tips about good posture and can work on the area with gentle massages and stretches.

Using physiotherapy during labour

In some countries the physiotherapist is present during labour. This is especially helpful during dilation. It also helps keep the woman moving around. Lastly, they can suggest different positions to help get you through the process.

Of course, they will continue to be needed during the post-partum period. From the sixth week after the birth, it’s recommendable to make an appointment to check whether there has been any damage, especially to the pelvic floor, and to start the process of strengthening and recovery.

Did you know about physiotherapists and how they can help you during pregnancy? Did you benefit from a physiotherapy treatment?