Women's Health - Pregnancy (from planning to postnatal)
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Pregnancy planning
Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for young children all place significant demands on our bodies. If we are fitter and healthier before pregnancy, then we are better equipped to deal with these demands. Being a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising can also make getting pregnant easier. Working with a physiotherapist when you are planning a pregnancy can help with issues such as weight control, posture and fitness, enabling you to minimise issues in the coming months. Pregnancy While some women have trouble free pregnancies, others experience discomforts such as back and pelvic pain, or carpal tunnel syndrome (pins and needles in the hands). Some women also experience continence issues, typically with an occasional leak of urine when coughing and sneezing. Many of the aches and pains of pregnancy are due to the change in demands on our muscles and joints, particularly as the centre of gravity changes as the baby grows. Addressing muscle imbalances through a combination of hands on therapy strengthening and stretching exercises can reduce many of the symptoms. Most physiotherapy treatments are suitable during pregnancy and we will treat you in a position of comfort. Our physiotherapists can help with hands on therapy, education/advice, exercises and physical supports such as lumbar and sacroiliac braces. |
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Childbirth
Our women’s’ health physiotherapist, Joanne, runs antenatal classes at Flinders Medical Centre. She is well equipped to provide information and guidance on how to prepare your body for birth, to explain the process and in particular to manage the early stages of labour in the home environment.
If you are not attending antenatal classes at your hospital, please consider booking an appointment with Joanne early in your third trimester so that you have time to discuss any concerns with her, and learn appropriate exercises to prepare your body for birth.
The postnatal period
Once you have given birth, you may be keen for your body to return to its former shape. Please be aware though, that women are particularly vulnerable to injuries in the first three months after giving birth, due to residual pregnancy hormones as well as due to physical and emotional fatigue.
In particular you should avoid sit-ups – they may delay recovery, as well as putting strain on your back and pelvic floor. Appropriate exercises are often discussed at postnatal classes in the hospital, or you can speak to one of our physiotherapists for further information.
Our women’s’ health physiotherapist, Joanne, runs antenatal classes at Flinders Medical Centre. She is well equipped to provide information and guidance on how to prepare your body for birth, to explain the process and in particular to manage the early stages of labour in the home environment.
If you are not attending antenatal classes at your hospital, please consider booking an appointment with Joanne early in your third trimester so that you have time to discuss any concerns with her, and learn appropriate exercises to prepare your body for birth.
The postnatal period
Once you have given birth, you may be keen for your body to return to its former shape. Please be aware though, that women are particularly vulnerable to injuries in the first three months after giving birth, due to residual pregnancy hormones as well as due to physical and emotional fatigue.
In particular you should avoid sit-ups – they may delay recovery, as well as putting strain on your back and pelvic floor. Appropriate exercises are often discussed at postnatal classes in the hospital, or you can speak to one of our physiotherapists for further information.
Postnatal Pilates can assist with posture and abdominal tone, which in turn can help prevent issues from repetitive activities such as feeding, rocking and changing nappies. See here for details of our physiotherapist led Pilates classes.
Our physiotherapists can assist with your recovery by teaching you safe exercises (including those to help you regain your figure), providing advice on back care for all those childcare tasks and giving suggestions for activities that will help your baby’s development of gross motor skills.
Our physiotherapists can assist with your recovery by teaching you safe exercises (including those to help you regain your figure), providing advice on back care for all those childcare tasks and giving suggestions for activities that will help your baby’s development of gross motor skills.