Pregnancy is among the most exciting but nerve-wracking times for expectant parents. As the prospect of childbirth looms, ensuring you’re in the best shape possible can make both your pregnancy and labour more comfortable and less daunting.
Our team of physiotherapists at Get Right Physio in the Great Toronto Area work with soon-to-be mothers all the time. We help them to reduce pain, strengthen pelvic muscles before giving birth, improve bladder control, and enhance overall well-being during pregnancy.
Request a consultation with one of your expert therapists today and learn how pelvic floor physiotherapy can support you before and during your upcoming pregnancy.
Pregnancy causes significant changes to your body throughout the entirety of the gestation period, and one part of your body that’s particularly affected is your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor is made up of a set of muscles that lie between the pubic bone and tailbone. These muscles work to ensure your uterus, bladder, and bowel function properly.
Increased pressure is put on your pelvic floor during pregnancy as the baby grows. Not only that, but the hormones released at this time can also cause the muscles to soften and weaken. These muscles can stretch to twice their size during labour, further impairing your pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy typically consists of a range of exercises and practices that promote the strengthening of your pelvic floor muscles, which in turn serves to alleviate pain, minimize incontinence, and prepare the body for delivery.
Your first session will usually comprise a series of external and internal tests to assess the strength of your pelvic floor and the ability of these muscles to relax. At this time, your therapist will also check for associated disorders like incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, poor posture, and pain.
After your therapist has evaluated your pelvic floor muscles, they’ll create a personalized programme. This plan will focus on key exercises to improve muscle strength and flexibility throughout your pregnancy and in the lead-up to childbirth. Many women also continue pelvic floor physio postpartum to help with discomfort and ensure the muscles fully heal.
Some of the main goals for pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy include:
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is among the best ways to support your body as you move through the different stages of pregnancy. Below are just some of the benefits of physical therapy for your pelvic floor during pregnancy.
While there’s no wrong or right time during your pregnancy to start pelvic floor physiotherapy, it’s recommended you consult a therapist as you move into your second trimester. It’s best to start strengthening your pelvic floor muscles while the baby is still small, as you can effectively enhance your muscle strength and flexibility before you begin carrying much additional weight.
However, it’s perfectly fine to commence physiotherapy in the first or third trimester, and the right time for you will depend on your specific needs, pending approval from your obstetrician or midwife.
As long as you work closely with a trained physiotherapist and avoid over-exerting yourself, pelvic floor therapy is very safe and highly beneficial during pregnancy. Throughout each session, you’ll learn how to use the correct form to complete specific exercises safely, and you’ll also find relief from unpleasant and painful pregnancy side effects.
It’s important to note that this timeframe may be adjusted for different clients.
While there’s no optimum number of times you should attend pelvic floor physiotherapy, many women choose to partake in weekly sessions for around 6-8 weeks. Depending on the symptoms you encounter during pregnancy, you may require a weekly visit for longer or periodic sessions throughout each trimester.
Outside of in-person physio sessions, many of the exercises you work on with your therapist can be implemented into your everyday life, including at your house or condo. Your therapist will talk you through which practices are suitable for you to continue to do in your own time.
There are a multitude of exercises that are used as part of pelvic floor physiotherapy. Below are a few examples:
Relieve yourself from pelvic pain and give yourself the best preparation for a smooth delivery by attending physiotherapy sessions to strengthen your pelvic floor ahead of childbirth.
Our team’s tried and tested exercises will help you loosen up your pelvic floor, improve your muscle capabilities, and make use of breathing techniques. Each of these comes together to mitigate discomfort and reduce pain.
Find out how we can help women like you train your pelvic floor by arranging a consultation with one of our therapists.
Complete our intake form online or call us at
647-370-5162.
Our intake specialists are ready to help.
Speak with our client coordinator to be thoughtfully matched with the right therapist for your goals.
We’ll book you within 24-48 hours at your convenience. Your therapist arrives ready to support your health & mobility goals.
*Extended health benefits can be used for in-home physiotherapy
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