You are Growing a Human

You are growing a human. Let’s be real…that’s pretty damn amazing! Although this is a natural and beautiful process, it’s also putting your body through drastic changes. From hormone fluctuations, changes in your center of gravity, loose ligaments, and stretched muscles to severe sleep deprivation, changes in activity levels (whether it be by choice or medically required), and a new intense focus on another human being other than ourselves, women’s bodies and minds go through a lot! Pregnancy and childbirth are athletic events that need to be prepared for, and recovered from, in a similar way to how a runner prepares for and recovers from running a marathon. Being seen and treated by a physical therapist who has a specialty in pelvic floor physical therapy can improve your pregnancy, labor and postpartum phases.

Why should you see a pelvic floor PT during pregnancy?

Studies show that women who receive pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy have better outcomes relating to pain and urinary incontinence postpartum when compared to those who do not. When someone is going to have ACL reconstruction they attend physical therapy 2-3 times before the surgery to learn the proper techniques for the exercises and receive manual work to ready the leg for the intense event. Pregnancy and labor should be approached in a similar way; preparation for the most ideal outcome. Seeking pelvic floor physical therapy during your second trimester to learn how to properly strengthen and stretch your core, hips and pelvic floor muscles and to learn how to move to prevent injury as the baby grows in size and impacts your center of gravity will set you up to have a better birth and postpartum period.

Proactively attending 2-3 treatments of pelvic floor physical therapy, even if you don’t have any specific pain or dysfunction, is highly encouraged and will be incredibly educational and beneficial for your postpartum self!

What pregnancy pains and dysfunctions can pelvic floor PT help with?

Common pains and dysfunctions related to pregnancy that can be treated at Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness:

Contact Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness today to discuss how we can help make this transitory time of your life easier!