Call to all the Moms to be!!! Get your pre and postnatal stress-free with physical therapy. It is a multidisciplinary approach towards improving the quality of life by providing health care facilities for people of all age groups. When it comes to expecting mothers, well-trained physical therapists in the field of gynecology and obstetrics, provide both pre and postnatal stress-free physical therapies.
These therapies help the expecting mothers to prevent any pre or post-delivery complications. They also help to prevent any physical or mental stress ( hormonal). Physical therapists aim at providing services that target to improve the overall health during pregnancy and post-childbirth.
Physical therapy for pregnant women includes two phases
- Prenatal physical therapy
- Postnatal physical therapy
The detailed description of the Physical exercises included in the pre and postnatal Therapies are as follows.
Prenatal Physical Therapy
Pregnancy is the most important and challenging phase in a woman’s life. She has to mold herself into a responsible and caring mother right from the moment she gets the confirmatory news of her pregnancy.
The body undergoes several changes
- Hormonal changes
- Increase in body weight
- Increase in the abdominal size due to increase in the size of the growing uterus.
- Increase in joint laxity and joint ranges
- Edema and nerve compression due to increased water retention in the body.
- Muscular cramps
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Other pregnancy-related conditions
Prenatal physical therapy aims to provide therapies that help the women to develop a healthy lifestyle which will indirectly make the baby healthy. Prenatal Physical therapy starts immediately after conception.
Prenatal Physical Therapy includes therapies that
- Prevent musculoskeletal problems
- Postural and ergonomic suggestions
- Prepare for labor
- Relaxation exercises
- Attain physical fitness
Types of Physical Therapy exercises during the Prenatal period
Physical therapists consider the following list of exercises for their pregnant patients.
- Gradual warm-up exercises to improve prenatal circulation.
- Strengthening exercises for the pelvic muscles and the muscles involved in body posture.
- Guidance for supine and stationary position to avoid ergonomic pain.
- Exercises to improve the flexibility of the body.
- Relaxation and labor preparation.
Warning when to stop physical therapy
Physical therapists are advised to stop their therapy and refer their patients to their gynecologist in case of
- Shortness of breath
- Shock or faint
- Hypoglycemic condition
- Chest pain, headache, blurring of vision
- Vaginal bleeding
- Leakage of the amniotic fluid
- Contraction
Benefits of physical therapy during Prenatal period
- Helps to reduce the common complaints during pregnancy like fatigue, varicosities, and swelling in the distal parts of the body.
- Helps to reduce pregnancy-related depression, stress, anxiety.
- Helps to recover from insomnia.
- Improves the stability and strength of the core muscles.
- The exercises improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart diseases like hypertension or cardiac arrest.
- Inculcates positivity from within.
- Improves body posture, strengthens the muscles, and improves their function.
Postnatal Physical Therapy
The postnatal period is the period after the birth of the child. During this period the mother’s body begins to recover. The women focus on getting back in their shape post-delivery. Many women hurry to get back in shape.
The type of exercise post-delivery depends on the present condition of the women, type of delivery whether natural vaginal delivery or Caesarean delivery, the health of both the mother and the baby.
The physical therapist has to consider several factors before planning out the schedule for the physical therapy. The life of women changes completely post delivery. There are alterations in the sleeping pattern, hormonal changes in the body, breastfeeding.
Postnatal Physical Therapy includes therapies that
- Exercises that aim at providing relaxation which will help the women to recover physically.
- Therapies help to restore the tone and strength of the muscles.
- Treatment of Musculoskeletal pain
- Teaching the new moms how to handle the baby and the daily chores alongside and also ergonomic for breastfeeding.
- Provide therapies to reduce postnatal stress
- Awareness about the importance of postnatal physical therapy and breastfeeding.
Physical therapy for normal vaginal delivery
The physical therapists suggest the following set of exercises post a normal vaginal delivery
- Exercises invoking active movement of the lower limbs
- Breathing exercises
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Cat cow pose exercises
- Ergonomic for breastfeeding
Physical therapy for Caesarean delivery
- Ultrasonic TENS Therapy
- Breathing exercises
- Knee rolling exercises
- Exercises invoking active movement of the lower limbs
- Pelvic floor exercises
Apart from the above-mentioned exercises, the physical therapists modify or change the exercises according to the condition of the lady post-delivery.
Conclusion
To conclude, physical therapists play a significant role in diagnosing and treating preNatal and postnatal stress and eliminate it by providing physical therapies under their supervision. Keep aside all your pre and post-pregnancy fitness concerns and visit your physical therapists now as they provide you a safe, comfortable, and effective approach in dealing with prenatal and postnatal stress.
