Childbirth is a transformative experience, bringing immense joy and profound changes to a woman's body. Amid the whirlwind of emotions and adjustments, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the care of the mother and the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) should be the standard of care for all women before and after birth due to its significant benefits for physical recovery and overall well-being. I (Logan) am on a mission to make this the standard of care and educating as many people possible of the benefits of going during and after pregnancy.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. These muscles play a vital role in urinary and fecal continence, sexual function, and core stability. Pregnancy and childbirth place increased strain on these muscles, leading to potential issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and prolapse. Read our blog post here more about the pelvic floor!
Why see a pelvic floor physical therapist during pregnancy?
1. Preparing for Delivery: Part of Logan's care when you're pregnant is birth preparation. Pelvic floor physical therapy before birth helps women prepare for delivery by strengthening and optimizing the function and control of these crucial muscles. Therapists teach techniques to relax the pelvic floor, which is important for labor labor and can help reduce the risk of tearing during delivery. Logan adds key pieces about how to push out your baby that other birth classes sometimes miss.
2. Preventing Incontinence: Many women experience urinary incontinence during pregnancy due to the added demands on the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, reducing or preventing incontinence and setting you up for success for after birth as well.
3. Managing Pain: Pelvic pain, including lower back pain, sciatica, hip pain, and pubic bone pain is common during pregnancy. Working with a pelvic floor physical therapist during pregnancy offers targeted exercises and techniques to alleviate this discomfort, improving quality of life during pregnancy. You don't just have 'to deal' with these aches and pains during pregnancy. You can ALWAYS ask your primary care doctor or OB/GYN/Midwife for a referral to physical therapy while pregnant as a preventative measure against the above issues. The great part about Logan is you don't need a referral to see her!
4. Enhancing Core Stability and overall Strength and Fitness: A strong pelvic floor contributes to overall core stability, which is essential for maintaining good posture and preventing musculoskeletal issues during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a huge demand on the body. We need to start strength training early in order to prepare the changes your body will experience and to prepare for the demands of motherhood!
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Should I see a pelvic floor physical therapist after I give birth?
The answer is YES!
1. Recovery and Healing: Childbirth can lead to tears, episiotomies, or C-section scars. PFPT aids in the recovery process by promoting healing, reducing scar tissue formation, and restoring muscle function early which is key!
2. Addressing Incontinence: Postpartum incontinence is a common issue, with many women experiencing bladder leaks. PFPT helps retrain the pelvic floor muscles, significantly reducing or eliminating incontinence. You don't have to live with leaking urine anymore! You can address is early!
3. Preventing Prolapse: Pelvic organ prolapse, where the pelvic organs drop from their normal position, can occur after childbirth and during the course of our lifetimes. PFPT strengthens the pelvic floor, reducing the risk and symptoms of prolapse and supporting overall pelvic health.
4. Alleviating Pelvic Pain: Some women experience persistent pelvic pain, back pain, hip pain etc. after childbirth. PFPT provides relief through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education on pain management techniques. Logan helps you navigate your fitness journey following birth to optimize your recovery and well being.
5. Enhancing Sexual Health: Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to pain during intercourse and decreased sexual satisfaction. PFPT addresses these issues, promoting a healthy and satisfying sexual life.
Making pelvic floor physical therapy the Standard of Care
Despite the clear benefits, pelvic floor physical therapy is not yet the standard of care for all pregnant and postpartum women. Logan firmly believes outcomes are better for pregnant people when they can start working with a physical therapist early--even if you aren't experiencing issues! Logan helps you strengthen your body in order to prepare for birth and beyond! Many issues we can start navigating them early and reduce the risk of development.
In order to make PFPT the standard, we need to do several things:
1. Raising Awareness: Educating healthcare providers, expectant mothers, and the general public about the importance of pelvic floor health is crucial. I ask that if you have had a positive experience with pelvic floor PT and birth and recovery, leave a comment! Or share this post with your friends!
2. Integrating PFPT into Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Healthcare systems should integrate PFPT into routine prenatal and postnatal care. Obstetricians, midwives, and general practitioners should refer patients to pelvic floor physical therapists as part of standard care during pregnancy and afterwards.
3. Insurance Coverage: Advocating for comprehensive insurance coverage for PFPT can remove financial barriers, making this essential care accessible to all women.
4. Training Healthcare Professionals: Incorporating pelvic floor health education into the training of healthcare professionals ensures that more providers recognize the importance of PFPT and can guide their patients accordingly.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor physical therapy before and after birth is not just a beneficial add-on but a necessity for the health and well-being of mothers. By making PFPT the standard of care, we can ensure that women receive the support they need to recover fully and thrive during and after pregnancy. Prioritizing pelvic floor health empowers women, enhancing their quality of life and allowing them to enjoy motherhood to the fullest.
If you have questions, scheduled your free call with Logan here today!
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