As some of my clients and all of us at RecoverRx know, I just had my first baby! As a pelvic floor therapist, I implemented several strategies to ensure the best possible vaginal birth experience. I often hear from clients who say, “I wish I would have known this prior to giving birth,” or “I was told to just wait until after having my baby.” These sentiments are common, but they don’t have to be part of your story. If you knew there was something proactive you could do to prepare for the delivery process preparation, wouldn’t you prefer to take preventive measures rather than reacting after the fact?
Physical Therapy Can Help You Prepare for Delivery and Labor in Several Ways
Your body undergoes significant changes throughout and following weeks of pregnancy. However, this does not mean you have to endure discomfort or pain in pregnancy for over 40 weeks. Engaging in physical therapy for birth can alleviate bodily strain, avert or ease pelvic floor symptoms, and address developing issues, contributing to a more enjoyable, comfortable pregnancy and postpartum journey. Through a variety of techniques, physical therapy can effectively prepare you for labor and vaginal births. These approaches emphasize pelvic floor muscle training and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles, ultimately enhancing your overall birthing experience.
Improve Strength and Endurance
Labor and delivery are undeniably physically demanding. Pelvic floor physical therapy can play a crucial role in preparing your body for delivery. By focusing on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and improving muscular endurance, you can enhance your ability to cope with the demands of labor. Additionally, physical therapy helps teach you how to prepare pelvic floor for birth, which is essential as the baby descends the vaginal canal and begins to crown. If you’ve heard stories of a baby descending only to move back up, tight pelvic floor muscles might have been a contributing factor. With proper physical therapy, you can address this issue and potentially prevent delayed or prolonged labor, thereby reducing the risk of complications and risk of injury.
Promote Flexibility and Mobility
Flexibility in the hips, back, and pubic bone is crucial for a smoother childbirth experience. Physical therapy can enhance your joint mobility and flexibility, making labor more comfortable and efficient. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends staying upright and moving during the early stages of labor, and improved flexibility can support this recommendation. Maintaining optimal pelvic health can significantly aid in achieving this flexibility, especially as your center of gravity shifts and your body shifts during pregnancy.
Teach Breathing Techniques
Controlled diaphragmatic breathing drills are invaluable during labor, helping to manage abdominal pressure and reduce anxiety. Physical therapists are skilled at teaching relaxation and deep breathing exercises that can help you remain calm and focused during delivery. Additionally, many therapists offer advanced pain management strategies, equipping you with a range of tools to handle the physical and emotional challenges of childbirth, including addressing urinary leakage and pelvic floor disorder.
Breathing and Pelvic Floor Muscle Coordination for Pushing
A significant aspect of preparing for birth is learning how to coordinate breathing with pelvic floor muscle contraction during pushing. Physical therapists can guide you through exercises and techniques to ensure that you can effectively utilize your pelvic floor muscles, making the pushing phase more efficient and potentially less strenuous, thereby reducing pain with sex and pelvic floor issues post-delivery.
Provide Education
Knowledge is empowering, and physical therapists can offer crucial education on various aspects of childbirth, including the stage of pregnancy and the birthing canal. From understanding the stages of labor to exploring different delivery positions and pain management strategies, having a well-informed perspective can make a significant difference in your birth experience. Additionally, physical therapists can provide guidance for your partner, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer support and assistance during labor, which may include teaching them about manual therapy techniques and how to assist with pelvic floor therapy exercises.
Birthing Positions
Exploring different birthing positions can greatly influence the ease and comfort of labor. Physical therapists can assist in identifying positions that promote optimal alignment and reduce pelvic pressure, such as deep squats, helping you find what feels best for your body during delivery. This may include gravity-assisted positions to facilitate the baby’s descent and non-gravity-assisted positions for comfort and effective labor progression.
- Gravity-Assisted Positions: Gravity-assisted positions can help facilitate the baby’s descent during labor, which may lead to shorter labor. By utilizing gravity, these positions can also enhance the efficacy of contractions and may reduce pelvic girdle pain.
- Non-Gravity Assisted Positions: If gravity-assisted positions become uncomfortable or less effective, non-gravity-assisted positions can provide beneficial alternatives. These options help facilitate labor while ensuring your comfort during the birthing process and may reduce pelvic pressure.
Partner Support Visits
Physical therapists can also work with your partner, teaching them how to assist with communication, manual therapy techniques, and positioning to help progress labor. This collaborative approach ensures that you have a supportive and informed partner by your side who can assist with body mechanics and pelvic floor muscle relaxation during this transformative experience.
Postpartum Recovery
Physical therapy plays a vital role not only during labor but also as a key component of postpartum recovery. In 2021, approximately 3.66 million live births were recorded in the United States. Early intervention for conditions such as diastasis recti (the separation of abdominal muscles) and pelvic floor dysfunction can greatly enhance your recovery process. By engaging in therapy during pregnancy, you can pave the way for better outcomes in both your labor experience and postpartum healing.
Some personal tips I found helpful during my pregnancy included drinking plenty of water, starting perineal stretching early, maintaining a nightly flexibility routine, consistently activating my deep core muscles, drinking red-leaf raspberry tea, and employing my pain management strategies. I also made sure to teach my husband how to communicate effectively with me, manually apply pressure, and assist with labor progression.
What to Expect During a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Visit
During your pelvic floor physical therapy visits, you can anticipate a thorough approach aimed at preparing your body for birth and facilitating postpartum recovery. Typically, sessions will encompass an initial pelvic floor assessment to evaluate the strength and flexibility of your pelvic floor muscles, followed by educational discussions on the stages of labor, optimal birthing positions, and various pain management strategies. You will also engage in targeted pelvic floor exercises designed to enhance the strength, flexibility, and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles, alongside practicing controlled breathing techniques to help manage pain and anxiety during labor.
Conclusion
Overall, pelvic floor therapy can significantly contribute to your preparation for labor and vaginal delivery, as well as support your recovery afterward. By addressing physical and educational needs proactively, you can enhance your childbirth experience and postpartum recovery. If you have any questions or believe that pelvic floor physical therapy could benefit you, whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, give us a call today!
FAQ’s
Should I go to pelvic floor therapy before birth?
Absolutely! Pelvic floor therapy before birth can help prepare your body for birth, improve pelvic floor strength and flexibility, and provide you with valuable education on managing labor.
What is physical therapy for pregnancy?
Physical therapy for pregnancy involves exercises, education, and techniques designed to prepare your body for childbirth, manage pain, and support recovery both during and after pregnancy.
What is the role of physical therapy in normal labor?
Physical therapy plays a role in normal labor by improving strength and endurance, enhancing flexibility and mobility, teaching effective breathing techniques, and providing education on birthing positions and pain management strategies.
