Prepartum Services
The therapists enjoy working with patients and their physicians with the common goal of ensuring a healthy, active, and comfortable pregnancy. Our pre-partum services help women achieve maximum pelvic floor and musculoskeletal function to optimize delivery and prevent perineal tearing and other postpartum dysfunctions. Due to the changes in a woman’s body during a healthy pregnancy, women may experience pain and discomfort and physical therapy can help.
Common Prepartum Complaints
- Swelling secondary to increases in blood volume
- Foot and back pain due to hormonal changes
- Low Back Pain. Studies have shown the 40-60% of women will experience back pain during pregnancy and as many as 25% experience temporarily disabling pain
- Neck pain and headaches due to changes in posture
- Tightness and pain in the legs due to the flattening of the feet
- Arm pain or tingling caused by nerve compression associated with an increased chest diameter
- Sciatic, hip, sacral, pubic symphysis and tailbone pain
- Urine leakage due to strained pelvic muscles
- Perineal massage and partner training for perineal massage
Perineal massage is the practice of massaging a pregnant woman’s perineum around the vagina in preparation for childbirth. The intention is to prevent tearing of the perineum during birth, prevent the need for an episiotomy or tearing during an instrument (forceps or vacuum extraction) delivery.
Randomized clinical trials of perineal massage have shown its effectiveness in reducing tears. - Pelvic Health to Optimize Vaginal Deliveries
- Eliminate low back, pubic symphysis, tailbone, hip, leg and pelvic pain
The pelvic floor muscles and core stabilizing muscles are intimately involved in the childbirth process. These muscles function at their maximum potential when they are lengthened, strengthened, and free of myofascial trigger points. A physical therapist can individually examine each muscle internally and externally. Impaired muscles are not always symptomatic. If impairments are found the physical therapist can treat the problems with manual therapy and exercise resulting in improved function.
History and Physical
The physical therapists at PHRC will spend at least an hour with the patients during their appointments. They will take a detailed medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. If the patient chooses, the physical therapist can communicate with the other members of the birth team.
The physical examination will include evaluation of:
- External and Pelvic Floor muscles – length, strength, motor control
- Connective tissue
- Adverse Neural Tension
- Structure and Biomechanics
Because Kegal exercises may be inappropriate for some women and may not be comprehensive enough for successful deliveries in others, the physical therapists at PHRC prescribe individualized Home Exercise Programs to strengthen and stabilize the core and pelvic floor muscles and loosen tight muscles.
Women will increase their potential for successful vaginal deliveries with less perineal tearing, levator ani avulsion and post-partum pain and dysfunction.