PREGNANCY
PELVIC FLOOR PT DURING PREGNANCY
When should I start pelvic floor PT when I’m pregnant?
We recommend you start ASAP if you’re having aches and pains, or at least when you begin your second trimester. At this point during your pregnancy your physical body changes have typically started so it gives us a good baseline to see where you’re at strength and mobility wise.
Additionally, as the weeks during pregnancy progress, it can be much more difficult to connect with ALL the layers of your core. We need to teach you proper core engagement that will help carry you through the rest of your pregnancy so it’s BEST to start sooner rather than later!
What do you do in pelvic floor PT when you’re pregnant?
Exercise programming during pregnancy: this is a huge one! If you’re active or want to start being active during your pregnancy we create custom workout programs for you to follow and progress throughout your trimesters.
We use a mobile app to house all of the videos of your exercises for you to reference while doing your homework. It looks similar to a personal training app, but with features that allow you to communicate with your PT in between sessions and log how you’re feeling!
Internal Pelvic Floor Exam and treatment: Learn more about the internal pelvic floor exam here:
Pain during pregnancy: the most common things women experience is low back pain sciatica pain, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain, pubic symphysis pain (SPD), round ligament pain, and hip pain. We can treat it ALL! Even though we specialize in the pelvic floor, all of our PT’s have a strong ortho background and understand how it’s all connected.
K-Taping your bump! This is super helpful for round ligament pain and diastasis recti
Cupping Therapy: This is super helpful for low back pain, upper back tightness, and rib pain during pregnancy
Bladder leakage: this is unfortunately very common during pregnancy, though still not normal. We can treat it! Check out my podcast Stop Peeing Your Pants and online course!
Manual Therapy Pelvic Alignment: Also known as sacral releases, myofascial release techniques are great on the pregnant pelvis! This mobilizations can help prepare the pelvis for birth and help eliminate SIJ, SPD also known as pubic symphysis dysfunction, and round ligament pain.
Birth prep session on breathing your baby out in a home birth setting, how to prepare your pelvic floor for a hospital birth (medicated or unmedicated), and understanding the immediate recovery of a csection birth. Your husband is present for this session and we go through which positions are best for you to labor and birth in and comforting techniques that your husband can do with you! Watch Dr. Kristin’s birth video (censored) where she breathes her baby out here!
DEBUNKING MYTHS: the amount of myths we debunk during pregnancy for women is unreal! We go over modifications for pilates, barre, yoga and considerations of things to do/not do during your pregnancy. For example, if you’re experiencing round ligament pain, we’ll teach you how to get in and out of the car without pain.