The journey into motherhood is truly amazing. The female body must adapt and accommodate for the growth of another human being inside, birth this little person into the world, and adjust once again after giving birth and through the postpartum period.
Physiotherapy and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a challenging time for the body. Many changes occur hormonally as well as physically and the body needs to adjust throughout the entire length of pregnancy. As a result, various issues can arise including pain in the lower back, sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, as well as other areas of the body. The abdominal wall can begin to thin as well as tear as it tries to expand to accommodate the growing fetus, resulting in a diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA). The pelvic floor muscles tends to stretch and weaken as the increasing weight of the fetus presses down on the pelvic floor which can lead to incontinence, pelvic floor discomfort, and a loss of core stability. Sexual health can also be affected.
Giving birth, whether it be vaginally or by C-section, is incredibly taxing on the body. For vaginal birth, the pelvic floor must stretch maximally for the passage of the baby through the birth canal. Ligaments can overstretch and tear as can the muscle itself. C-section birth is a major surgery with the incision going through the abdominal wall as well as through the uterus. Scar tissue can develop which can adhere and pull on various organs within the abdominal cavity as well as tension the supporting fascia.
Women’s health physiotherapy can help a woman throughout pregnancy maintain optimal physical function. It can ease the discomforts as the body transforms as well as aid in the body’s recovery postpartum. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an important component of postpartum recovery to aid in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor musculature. Addressing any signs of prolapse and/or diastasis rectus abdominus as well as performing scar tissue work on a C-section site is essential for optimal recovery of the abdominal wall and core stability postpartum.
The female body is incredibly adaptive and possesses a high capacity to recover from pregnancy and birth. Physiotherapy specific to prenatal and postpartum health can help impart knowledge regarding the process of recovery as well as help address any issues that arise as a result of pregnancy or child birth to assist the body in optimal recovery.
