PRENATAL & POST NATAL PHYSIOTHERAPY
At The Physio Space and Integrative Wellness Center, we are happy to offer prenatal and postnatal physiotherapy care. We provide rehabilitation services designed to address the special needs of mothers who are pregnant and for mothers who recently or not so recently delivered their babies.
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life and it is filled with physical and emotional changes. It is also a time of change for your pelvic floor health.
There are many factors that affect a woman’s pelvic floor muscles including an increase in fluid retention, weight gain, postural changes, hormonal changes as well as pressure from the growing baby. This can affect the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves in the pelvic area.
The above mentioned factors can lead to complaints of urinary leakage, constipation, pelvic/hip or low back pain, diastasis recti and pain with intercourse to name a few.
Seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist can be helpful to alleviate come of these discomforts and help you get stronger and move better throughout your pregnancy.
It can also be beneficial to have an internal pelvic floor examination to assess the status of your pelvic floor muscles in preparation for birth.
Remember that for a successful birth, it is not always about strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. They also need to lengthen as well. Pelvic floor physiotherapy will be beneficial not only for labour and delivery preparation but will help you with your postpartum recovery.
Please note, we can perform internal assessments in pregnancy after 14 weeks and before 37 weeks.
Throughout your prenatal physiotherapy sessions, we focus on both education and open conversation to ensure you feel informed and supported every step of the way. We provide comprehensive pelvic health education that covers such topics as perineal stretching, bowel care, birthing positions, breathing techniques, the impacts of medications and epidurals on the pelvic floor, instrumentation delivery, a postpartum recovery plan and SO MUCH MORE!
Your pelvic floor changes after birth and we are here to help you recover. Common birth injuries that can benefit from pelvic floor physiotherapy include intravaginal scar tissue, perineal trauma (tearing or episiotomy), incontinence (bladder, bowel, or gas), pelvic organ prolapse (feelings of heaviness/ pressure or a bulge in the vagina), painful intercourse, tailbone pain, diastasis recti, queefing, and vaginal dryness.
Two of the most common postnatal concerns are diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation/weakness) and safely returning to exercise.
Diastasis recti is commonly known as a ‘stretching’ of the abdominal connective tissue. One hundred percent of women will have some degree of stretching at the end of their pregnancy and this is primarily due to hormonal changes and a growing uterus pressing outward on the core muscles.
Our therapists can use a variety of therapeutic techniques including breathing, myofascial release (MFR), taping techniques, deep core activation exercises and progressive core strengthening to help you recover.
Many women are eager to return to exercising after baby has arrived. The questions we are often asked is when can I resume my workouts and what type or intensity of workouts can I do postnatally.
An individualized assessment is key, as the answer will depend on a woman’s pre pregnancy level of fitness, birth experience, and recovery timeline. We always encourage healing and recovery and a gradual return to exercise.
Just like after an injury or prolonged absence from activity, a slow, controlled and supervised plan is required tailored to your individual needs.
At The Physio Space and Integrative Wellness Center, we are happy to offer a physio led, B Strong Mom & Baby Classes. Please visit our this page for information on our upcoming series.
Pregnancy is an amazing time, but it also tends to lead to some pretty significant changes to your body! Physiotherapy can help through all stages of pregnancy, from treating aches and pains to providing exercises and advice to aid in recovery.
As long as you are experiencing a healthy pregnancy and are not considered high risk, then yes, an internal vaginal examination is safe during pregnancy. We assess the pelvic floor muscles only and we do not assess or go near the cervix.
The recommended wait time to see a pelvic health physiotherapist after giving birth is 6 weeks. This allows sufficient time for your pelvic floor to heal after giving birth. We are happy to see you before 6 weeks if you are experiencing pain or discomfort or are having mobility issues.
Yes. The Physio Space and Integrative Wellness Center welcomes you to bring your baby with you for your appointment.
Yes, if you have physiotherapy as part of your extended health benefits, pelvic floor assessments and treatments are covered.
Yes we do! We are super excited to be offering Physio@Home for our postnatal mamas. Simply call 613-429-9000 and we will be happy to set up a convenient time to see you in the privacy of your own home.
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