#1 Improve low back pain in pregnancy
You may see an increase in pain and have a hard time staying active as your body
starts to change and grow throughout pregnancy. Pelvic physical therapy can
help decrease your pain and keep you active.
#2 Safe exercise advice
- Exercise may look different during pregnancy. Your PT can teach you different ways to exercise that keep you and your baby safe.
- If you are worried about gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain, exercise can help decrease those risks. Exercise may also help improve your outcomes after labor and birth.
#3 Decrease risk of urinary leakage
During pregnancy, you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These exercises
can decrease your risk of incontinence after childbirth. Your PT can teach you the
right way to use your pelvic floor and tell you how often to work on this exercise.
#4 Prepare for delivery
Your physical therapist can teach you perineal massage, a gentle, manual stretch
to tissues around the birth canal. This technique decreases risk of tearing and
could shorten labor. Your PT can also teach you different positions that can be
helpful and comfortable for labor and delivery
#5 Help prevent depression
Physical activity and exercise can help decrease risk of depression after delivery.
If pain or urinary leakage prevent you from exercising, a PT can help you get back
to these activities faster