Pre and PostPartum

Pre and PostPartum

Pre and PostPartum


Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging due to the physical changes that happen during pregnancy and after giving birth. Physical therapy during your prenatal and postpartum periods can help you manage these changes effectively. The physical therapists at FYZICAL Stone Oak provide evaluation and treatment during your prenatal and postpartum periods to decrease your pain, improve your pelvic health, prepare you for delivery, and help you recover as quickly as possible after giving birth.

Benefits of Pelvic Physical Therapy for Prenatal and Postpartum Periods

Physical therapy improves spinal and pelvic joint alignment and mobility, improves core and pelvic floor muscle strength, and improves perineal integrity and protection. Physical therapy helps manage various issues that arise during the prenatal and postpartum periods, including pain, weakness, incontinence, prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.

If you’re pregnant and want to experience optimal pelvic health and well-being during pregnancy and after birth, call the pelvic health physical therapists at FYZICAL [placeholder for localization to learn more about our pelvic health and wellness program.

The Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Prenatal and Postpartum Periods

You may experience various issues during pregnancy and after giving birth due to fluctuating hormones and physical changes that happen. Common issues that occur include low back pain, pelvic pain, incontinence, prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.

Low back pain may be caused by weight gain, postural changes, hormonal effects on your ligaments, or increased stress on your pelvis and spine. Physical therapy decreases back pain, improves pelvic and spinal alignment and mobility, strengthens back and core muscles, and educates you on proper posture and body mechanics.

Pelvic pain may be caused by pelvic joint instability, muscle spasm, nerve compression, scar tissue formation, or infection. Physical therapy decreases pelvic pain, improves pelvic joint stability and mobility, and decreases muscle tension.

Incontinence (leaking of urine or stool) may be caused by weakness of your pelvic floor muscles, nerve damage, hormonal changes, or increased pressure on your bladder or bowel. Physical therapy retrains and strengthens muscles of the pelvic floor, and your physical therapist educates you on bladder and bowel habits and suggests lifestyle modifications to help manage this symptom.

Prolapse involves the dropping of one or more of your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) into the vaginal canal. Prolapse may be caused by increased pressure, weakness of your pelvic floor muscles, vaginal trauma, or genetic factors. Physical therapy reduces the risk of prolapse and manages symptoms of prolapse with pelvic floor exercises.

Sexual dysfunction involves difficulty experiencing sexual pleasure and may be caused by pain, tightness, dryness, numbness, or psychological factors. Physical therapy improves pelvic floor muscle function and increases blood flow to the pelvic region.