Pregnancy

Approximately 1 in 5 women experience low back pain or pelvic pain during their pregnancy.

This can be due to:

• The increasing weight of your baby weakening the muscles that help to support your back and pelvis (pelvic floor muscles and deep abdominal muscles).
• The hormonal changes that take place during your pregnancy, this can lead to reduced joint stability around your pelvis and lower back, increasing your risk of pain or discomfort.
• Previous injury or existing pelvic floor and/or abdominal weakness.

Physiotherapy can help to reduce the pain you experience during your pregnancy

So, why come to see a physiotherapist?

As specialists in muscle and joints problems, physiotherapists use their skills to identify your areas of weakness. With this knowledge, you and your physiotherapist are able to formulate a treatment plan specific to your needs and goals. The resulting muscle strength and joint stability will improve your pain management and mobility, putting you back in control.

So, why see a Women’s Health Physiotherapist

Sally, our Women’s Health Physiotherapist, has additional qualifications, training and experience in women’s health. She will work with you using her traditional physiotherapy skills and her specialist knowledge of the changes that take place during pregnancy. Together you will formulate an individual treatment plan, you will be given the tools to improve your movement quality, muscle strength and posture, making you better equipped to cope with the rest of your pregnancy, and stronger to take on the additional challenges that your new baby will bring.

Other pregnancy related problems we can be help with include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, pins and needles in the arms and hands. It can affect one or both arms. The pain is usually worse at night
• Rib pain, pain on either or both sides of the ribs
• Rectus Abdominis Divarication, as your baby grows your rectus abdominis muscle (six pack muscle) moves apart, this is normal, however for some women this gap can be greater than 3cm. Often pain free, however it can lead to abdominal pain and contribute to joint instability.
• Pelvic floor muscle weakness, leaking from the bladder or bowel with coughing, sneezing and or exercise.

When you make an appointment to see Sally, our specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist, you can be confident that your symptoms and movements will be thoroughly assessed and together you will develop a treatment plan to suit your needs.

Treatment may include:

• Joint mobilisation to improve mobility
• Soft tissue massage to reduce muscle tension
• Pelvic floor muscle and deep abdominal muscle exercise
• Pilates to improve or maintain muscle strength through an enjoyable exercise regime
• Expert advice and tips on how to minimise your risk of low back and pelvic pain during and after your pregnancy
• Advice regarding appropriate management of your delivery to improve your outcome after your child is born

What can I do to help myself? For your information Sally our Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist has compiled the following information sheets.

Pelvic Floor Exercise
• National guidelines recommend that all pregnant women are given advice about exercise during pregnancy, including pelvic floor muscle exercises, about 10 weeks into their pregnancy
Postural Tips during Pregnancy
• Modify your posture during your pregnancy to minimise strain on you body.
Sport and Exercise during Pregnancy