Benefits of physiotherapy during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time when your body goes through tremendous changes, growing a little person. It is a time when you need and deserve extra care. Unfortunately, some doctors are not supportive of physiotherapy during pregnancy. I think it is a common theme that pregnancy is just looked at as a temporary state and the symptoms you get are just normal and something you have to expect. This is outdated and also shows again how low the status of women’s health is in the health industry.

Unfortunately, some doctors are not supportive of physiotherapy during pregnancy. I think it is a common theme that pregnancy is just looked at as a temporary state and the symptoms you get are just normal and something you have to expect. This is outdated and also shows again how low the status of women’s health is in the health industry. 

I hope you as a pregnant person know that you deserve the best care possible during this special time, in particular for those struggling with different issues and pains, and that we can do a lot to alleviate your symptoms. 

When should you see a physiotherapist?

First, it can be a good idea to seek help from someone interested in this field as they for sure will have more expertise and experience. Most of the pregnant clients that I see seek my help because they are in pain or have experienced pelvic floor symptoms like leaking. However, you don’t have to have any pain or issues to see me. I believe it should be as normal to see a physiotherapy during pregnancy as it is to do your regular baby checkups with your doctor. Some will come only for a few sessions to get some tips or a check-up of their pelvic floor, and then manage on their own. Others again will want more support and I may see them 1-2 times a week depending on their goals. 

If you haven’t felt the need to see a physiotherapist yet you can also wait until your 3rd trimester when it is time to start preparing for birth. 

I can see you whether you are in your 1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester. 

What are the benefits of seeing a physiotherapist during pregnancy? 

• Getting information: anything from why it can be beneficial to be active during pregnancy, to how you can prepare for birth and the early postpartum days. Being informed makes it easier to make choices that are right for you and can make you feel more confident and in control during your pregnancy. It can also make you feel less anxious and worried about different symptoms you may experience during your pregnancy. 
• Reduce pain in the lower back, sacrum, tailbone, groin, and symphysis. It is very common to get pain or discomfort during pregnancy due to the combination of hormones, the changes happening in your body, and the growing belly. Yes, it is part of pregnancy but there’s so much we can do to relieve pain and it’s worth getting help if you are suffering from pain! 
• Learn how to take care of and strengthen your pelvic floor. A strong and functional pelvic floor can possibly make for an easier birth, less chances of bad tearing, and also an easier recovery after childbirth. We both want our pelvic floor to be able to contract, shorten and hold tension, and be able to lengthen and relax. 
• Learning different breathing strategies that can be useful both during birth whether you are having a vaginal or a cesarean birth, and breathing exercises to do in the early postpartum days and weeks.
• Help with training and exercises. Help you get into a training routine, or guide you on how to adjust your training as pregnancy progresses. 

Having good support during pregnancy, getting information about pregnancy and birth, and in general feeling supported can be very beneficial and make for a better pregnancy experience and possibly also an easier birth. Some factors are of course out of our control, however, there are so many things we can do to make your pregnancy journey as smooth as possible. 

If you are interested to know more about physiotherapy during pregnancy please reach out to us!