Prenatal Physiotherapy

Why have Prenatal Physiotherapy?

Even with the safest and most straightforward pregnancy, the normal and natural changes that your body is undergoing can be uncomfortable and worrying. With the right support at the right time, you will be able to cope better with these changes and recover faster from their impact.

Ten’s specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapists can assess, diagnose and treat any conditions or pain you may experience, during or after pregnancy.

Prenatal Assessment

Even if you’re not experiencing any significant discomfort or other symptoms during your pregnancy, we would always recommend having a Prenatal Assessment.

– What is a Prenatal Assessment?

A Prenatal Assessment is a full screening and assessment that will help you prepare your body and pelvic floor for labour. It helps to identify any areas of risk or concern, and provide solutions to help minimise their impact.

– Why have a Prenatal Assessment?

Prenatal Assessments have been shown to reduce the risk of perineal tearing and serious postnatal complications by up to 40%. As a result, you’re less likely to require extended postnatal physiotherapy treatment, or onward referral to a consultant or surgical review.

If you have questions or would like to talk in confidence to one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists, please contact us.

Ongoing support

As your pregnancy develops and you prepare for labour, our specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapists can provide advice, guidance and, where necessary, treatment for any symptoms, issues or concerns you may experience.

We can offer information about safe posture and movement during pregnancy, and help you start or continue exercising correctly and with confidence.

Whilst pregnancy changes many things about life, we feel it shouldn’t change your access to fitness and health support.

Reasons you would benefit from Prenatal Physiotherapy:

• to identify any areas of weakness, or disfunction that could injury, pain or other issues during your pregnancy or childbirth
• to help with pain relief – lower back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome are common when you are pregnant.
• we can show you how to manage your sitting, standing and lying posture and body positioning to keep you safe and comfortable as your pregnancy develops
• guidance on how to exercise safely during pregnancy, from pelvic floor training through to advice and guidance on how to modify your preferred workouts, from running to gym sessions
• a bespoke prenatal exercise programme designed specifically around you and your pregnancy
• in person 1-1 sessions to take you through your exercise programme
• preparation for labour

Common issues during pregnancy

• Pelvic Girdle Pain

  Approximately half of women will experience pelvic girdle pain during their pregnancy. This can start as early as the first trimester. Physiotherapy is very effective for the treatment and management of pelvic girdle pain. Early treatment allows women to stay active throughout their pregnancy and prevent further problems as the pregnancy progresses. Our specialists use a combination of bespoke exercise prescription, manual therapy, acupuncture, mobilisations, postural correction and movement advice.

• Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation)

  All women will experience some level of abdominal separation in the latter stages of pregnancy as the connective tissue between the abdominal muscle stretches to accommodate the growing baby. Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on targeted exercises during pregnancy to improve and minimise abdominal separation postnatally.

• Incontinence

  One in three women experience incontinence in the first year after having a baby. Strengthening the pelvic floor and pelvic muscles during pregnancy is the best way to prevent incontinence postnatally. However, as up to 70% of people complete their exercises incorrectly, working with a specialist Physiotherapist will ensure that you are performing the techniques correctly, and get the best possible outcome from your treatment. Our specialist physios will assess your pelvic floor strength and, as there are many different ways to strengthen your pelvic floor, they will guide you through the variations and tailor your programme to best suit your individual needs.

• Constipation

  Constipation is more common during pregnancy than in the general population, with about 40% of women being affected. Contrary to popular belief, there are ways of reducing constipation during pregnancy using a range of different physiotherapy techniques.

• Exercise

  In almost all instances, exercise is beneficial during pregnancy. However, it can be difficult to know which form of exercise will be most effective. Often it’s dependent on the individual – what works for one person can have the opposite effect for another. Our specialist Physiotherapists offer bespoke advice and exercise programmes based around your body, your history and your needs, to ensure that you stay healthy and pain-free during your pregnancy.

• Carpal Tunnel

  Up to 60% of women will experience carpal tunnel syndrome during their pregnancy. Carpal tunnel causes pain and numbness in the hands and wrists during pregnancy. The additional fluid in the body can lead to compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist. The symptoms can be treated with splints, manual therapy and daily exercises.