From Bumps to Birth: Preparing Your Pelvic Floor for Labour and Recovery
Oh hi, pregnant you!
We know that pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and we're here to ride it out with you, cheering you on through every twist and turn, high and low!
Our pelvic floor physiotherapists are some of the best pelvic physiotherapists in the city (bragging rights included) and they’ve treated many patients guiding them through their labour preparation in the final stages of pregnancy (pssst…read what one of our patients had to say below!)
Preparing ahead of time can help both your body and mind handle the stress of labour and set you up for a smoother recovery in your postpartum period.
A 1 on 1 session with one of our pelvic health physiotherapists can arm you with the knowledge you need to confidently move into labour AND physically prepare your body to endure the pressures that labour can entail!
Wanna know more about ALLLL the ways a pelvic physio can help you?!
Check out what one of our labour preparation appointments include:
LEARNING ABOUT YOUR PELVIC FLOOR
Learn all about your pelvic floor anatomy and function
Discover how to connect to your pelvic floor
Explore ways to strengthen your pelvic floor
LEARNING HOW TO LENGTHEN AND RELAX YOUR PELVIC FLOOR
Learn how to bring your pelvic floor to a relaxed state - even during contractions!
Learn techniques for lengthening and relaxing your pelvic floor using proper breathing methods.
LEARNING HOW TO BREATHE THROUGH PUSHING
Learn how to use your breath to assist you during pushing
Practice breathing techniques to help lengthen your pelvic floor while pushing
PERINEAL STRETCHING
Perineal stretching is an effective practice that can help prepare your pelvic floor for labour and can help to reduce the risk of tearing - this will be completed at each session
Learn how to do perineal stretching at home to get as much benefit from this practice as possible
LABOUR POSITION OPTIONS & PAIN RELIEF COUNTER PRESSURES TO USE IN LABOUR
Learn and practice various labour and delivery positions
Learn how to optimize your body position during various stages of labour, including during delivery
Have your partner join our session to help support you through these labour positions and learn how to provide counter pressure for pain relief during all stages of labour
We recommend you book your first appointment around 25 weeks into your pregnancy, but you can book an appointment at any time after the first trimester of your pregnancy, it’s never too late! We also recommend you book in ASAP if you are experiencing any pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms during your pregnancy.
SYMPTOMS TO ADDRESS ASAP DURING PREGNANCY:
Urinary leakage
Increased urinary frequency, including overnight
Painful intercourse
Pelvic girdle pain
Sciatic pain
We look forward to helping you navigate through your pregnancy and ensuring you and your pelvic floor are well-prepared for labour and postpartum!
This post was written by wellbe’s pelvic floor physiotherapist Amber Watkins. Click here to learn more about how pelvic floor physiotherapy can help and to book your first session.