All about prenatal & postpartum physiotherapy…

Did you know?

• 42% of pregnant people have urinary incontinence during pregnancy

• 38% of pregnant people have urinary incontinence
  postpartum

• 29% of pregnant people have fecal (poop) incontinence postpartum.

Remember…

• You should not leak urine, gas or stool when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift, jump or run.

• You should not have ongoing pelvic or back pain.

• You should not feel pressure or heaviness in your vagina or rectum.

• You should not have pain during intercourse

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you to...

• Decrease or reduce the risk of incontinence, maintain control

• Recover from a vaginal birth or C-section
  Decrease or eliminate pain
  Reduce stress & anxiety

• Strengthen your core when appropriate safely and effectively

• Relax your pelvic floor muscles

• Strengthen your pelvic floor

• Maximize function

• Improve your well-being

• Understand labor and post-delivery
  Prevent tearing

• Return to activites and sports

• Limit scar tissue

• Avoid prolapse

• Improve sleep, strength, and endurance

• Treat or prevent longstanding diastasis recti abdominus

• Prevent hernias

What to Expect

You will be asked to complete a detailed medical history to outline your experience.

A complete physical examination will be completed, including an internal examination of your pelvic floor muscles, if relevant.

The initial examination takes approximately 60 minutes and follow-up sessions are 30-45 minutes.

Consult a pelvic health physiotherapist during pregnancy if you have:  

• Pain in your pubic bone, groin, back, pelvis, buttocks or legs 

• Difficulties doing everyday tasks such as rolling over, walking, or getting in/out of a vehicle 

• Leaking urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze or walk, etc  

• Bulging or tenting of your abdomen when you lift your head off a pillow (abdominal diastasis)  

• Pain with intercourse  

• Vaginal varicose veins 

• Questions about preparing for labour & delivery

Consult a pelvic health physiotherapist after delivery especially if you have: 

• Scarring from C-Section, tearing or episiotomy 

• Leaking urine, gas or stool when you cough sneeze, exercise, etc. or not making it to the bathroom in time 

• Problems emptying your bladder or bowel completely or frequently  

• Pain with intercourse 

• Pressure, heaviness or bulging in your vagina or rectum 

• Ongoing pain in your vagina, rectum, pelvis, pubic bone, abdomen or lower back  

• Bulging or tenting of your abdomen during any exercise  

Whether you have had a vaginal delivery or a C-Section, you will benefit from pelvic health physiotherapy to help you recover from the many effects of pregnancy and delivery.