Pregnancy
Ante Natal
Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help with any pregnancy related pain or discomforts and helping to prevent perineal tearing.
Different symptoms that we can help with:
- Pelvic girdle dysfunction (45% of pregnant women)
- Low back pain (40-60%)
- Neck pain and Headache due to postural changes
- Stress Incontinence (19.9%- 70%)
- Chest/ lung and sinus
- Advice to avoid /minimize a perineal tear:
- Perineal massage: Massaging the perineum around the vagina in preparation for vaginal birth is theorized to improve flexibility, decreasing resistance and therefore reducing
the chances for tearing.
- Preparing the pelvic floor muscles for vaginal birth to minimize the change for tears or injuries. The pelvic floor muscle must be free from trigger points, must be able to contract and relax and lengthened.
Different symptoms that we can help with:
- Pelvic girdle dysfunction (45% of pregnant women)
- Low back pain (40-60%)
- Neck pain and Headache due to postural changes
- Stress Incontinence (19.9%- 70%)
- Chest/ lung and sinus
- Advice to avoid /minimize a perineal tear:
- Perineal massage: Massaging the perineum around the vagina in preparation for vaginal birth is theorized to improve flexibility, decreasing resistance and therefore reducing
the chances for tearing.
- Preparing the pelvic floor muscles for vaginal birth to minimize the change for tears or injuries. The pelvic floor muscle must be free from trigger points, must be able to contract and relax and lengthened.
Post Natal
- Cracked nipples, engorged breast, mastitis.
- Advice regarding breastfeeding.
- Wound healing of the caesarean section or the episiotomy.
- Scar massage - Scar tissue can cause persistent pain and pain during intercourse. A tight caesarean scar can contribute to urgency and frequency.
- Diastasis Rectus abdominis: is the separation between the two Rectus Abdominis muscles that can cause low back pain, stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
