The Benefits of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Delivering a baby is a life-altering event. It is truly one of the greatest joys you can ever experience in your life. However, childbirth can have negative effects on a woman’s body. Pelvic floor physiotherapists assist new moms in recovering from the effects of childbirth.

Effects of Childbirth on a Woman’s Body

The human body is amazing. It is designed to accommodate a growing baby and then expel it during childbirth. However, this process can cause significant changes to a woman’s body, particularly in the pelvic region.

The growing baby’s weight puts extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy. These muscles support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. The extra pressure can cause these muscles to weaken and sometimes tear. This weakening can lead to incontinence, pelvic prolapse and other problems.

Childbirth itself can also cause damage to the pelvic floor muscles. Pushing the baby out can put even more strain on these already weakened muscles. In some cases, this can result in incontinence and other problems.

The Benefits of Receiving Proper Care After Giving Birth

Fortunately, women no longer must suffer in silence after childbirth. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can help them recover from childbirth’s effects.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening helps prevent or reduce the likelihood of incontinence, pelvic prolapse and other problems.

In addition, pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help to improve bladder and bowel function. It can also help to relieve pain in the pelvic region.

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor physiotherapists use a variety of exercises to help their patients recover from childbirth. These exercises can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder and bowel function.

One of the most common exercises that a pelvic floor physiotherapist will prescribe is Kegels. This exercise involves repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.

A pelvic floor physiotherapist may prescribe other exercises, including squats, lunges, and bridges.

Postpartum Recovery

Receiving proper care after childbirth can have many benefits for new moms. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help to improve bladder and bowel function, relieve pain in the pelvic region and prevent or reduce the likelihood of incontinence, pelvic prolapse and other problems. In addition, post-natal recovery can also help to improve your overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

Childbirth is a life-altering event. It can significantly affect a woman’s body, particularly in the pelvic region. Fortunately, many pelvic floor physiotherapists can help new moms recover from childbirth. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help to improve bladder and bowel function, relieve pain in the pelvic region and prevent or reduce the likelihood of incontinence, pelvic prolapse and other problems. In addition, post-natal recovery can also help to improve your overall health and well-being.

Additional Resources

Article on the benefits of postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy.

Women’s magazine has a first-hand account of postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy.

About the Author

Katja Bergin PT is a certified physiotherapist and one of the owners of Bergin Motion. Bergin Motion is a family-run Barrie Physiotherapy Clinic located in Barrie’s Southend. Katja specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Katja works with women and men to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Katja is part of a team at Bergin Motion in Barrie, Ontario that works with all kinds of conditions.