Do I Need Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and have heard about pelvic floor physical therapy, you may be wondering whether it is something you need during pregnancy. Maybe you have a specific concern, such as leaking, pelvic pressure, or back pain. You may also feel well and want to know whether there is any benefit to seeing a pelvic health physical therapist before symptoms develop.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can be helpful in both situations.
Pregnancy places new demands on the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, hips, and spine. As your baby grows, your posture and movement patterns change to accommodate your changing body. A pelvic health physical therapist can assess how your body is responding and provide care based on your symptoms, activity level, stage of pregnancy, and goals.
At Klein Physical Therapy, we also use these visits to help you prepare for labor and plan for postpartum recovery.
Do I Need to Have Symptoms to See a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist?
No. Many patients begin pelvic floor therapy because they are experiencing symptoms, while others come in because they want guidance during pregnancy.
Urinary leaking, pelvic heaviness or pressure, pain with intercourse, and pelvic or low back pain are all reasons to consider an evaluation. You may also want support if exercise has become uncomfortable or you are unsure how to adjust your usual activities as your pregnancy progresses.
If you are feeling well, your visits can focus more on maintaining comfortable movement and preparing for the changes ahead. Your physical therapist can assess areas such as pelvic floor function, breathing, mobility, strength, pressure management, and movement patterns based on what is relevant to you.
This gives you an opportunity to ask questions about your body with someone who specializes in pelvic health rather than waiting until a concern becomes more difficult to manage.
How Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Help During Pregnancy?
Your pelvic floor works together with your abdominal muscles, diaphragm, hips, and spine. Changes in one area can affect how you move and how your body manages the increasing demands of pregnancy.
For example, back or pelvic pain may involve more than the location where you feel discomfort. Your physical therapist can look at your movement, strength, mobility, breathing mechanics, and other contributing factors to determine what may be helpful.
Treatment is individualized and personalized to you. Depending on your needs, your visits may include hands on treatment, exercises, mobility work, education, or modifications to your current activities.
As you move closer to your due date, care can also include preparation for labor and delivery. Your therapist can help you better understand pelvic floor relaxation, positioning, breathing, and pushing mechanics. You will even learn how to do your own perineal prepping and stretching techniques.
When Should I Start Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy?
There is no single week of pregnancy that is right for every patient. Your needs at 13 weeks may be very different from your needs later in your third trimester.
We created our Perinatal Wellness Package to provide ongoing care as those needs change.
The package includes 8 one on one visits with a pelvic health physical therapist. We typically recommend scheduling pregnancy visits around 13, 20, 28, 32, 35, and 37 weeks of gestation, followed by two postpartum visits.
This schedule allows your care to change along with your pregnancy. Earlier visits may focus on current symptoms, movement, or exercise. Later appointments can place more attention on preparing for labor and what to expect during postpartum recovery.
You can also begin the package later in pregnancy. If you are already past one or more of the suggested visit points, we will help you decide how to use your eight visits based on your current needs. You do not lose visits because you did not start at 13 weeks.
Why Are Postpartum Visits Included?
Recovery continues after delivery, and every postpartum experience is different. Your body has gone through pregnancy and birth, and returning to your usual activities often takes time and individualized guidance.
The Perinatal Wellness Package includes two postpartum visits so your physical therapist can evaluate how you are recovering and address any concerns that have developed after delivery.
Your postpartum care will depend on your recovery and your goals. We can help you work toward returning to exercise and other activities that are important to you while taking your healing into account.
Having an established relationship with your physical therapist during pregnancy also means that we already know your history and the concerns we were working on before delivery. That context can help us individualize your postpartum plan.
Is the Perinatal Wellness Package Right for Me?
You may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy if you are experiencing pelvic health or musculoskeletal symptoms. You may also choose to come in because you want professional guidance about exercise, birth preparation, or postpartum recovery.
Our Perinatal Wellness Package includes 8 one on one visits with a pelvic health physical therapist. The visits are yours to use based on what will best support your pregnancy and recovery.
We offer a complimentary discovery visit where you can meet with us, discuss your pregnancy and any concerns you have, and ask questions about pelvic floor physical therapy. We can then help you determine what type of care makes sense for you.
At Klein Physical Therapy, our goal is to provide personalized, evidence based care that respects your individual pregnancy, your body, and your goals.
Schedule your complimentary discovery visit to learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy and our Perinatal Wellness Package.