The Benefits Of Combining Prenatal and Postpartum Physical Therapy For Moms

In all other areas of our life, we like to have a plan. Buying a house, getting a job-we try to envision ourselves in that next stage and see if it fits. Next we assess where we are at- our resources, strengths and weaknesses, and create a plan to overcome any potential challenges or alternate outcomes along the way. We don’t wait for chance. We don’t wait for a problem to show up, or just cross our fingers and hope that that things will turn out ok. So why would we do it when it is one of the single biggest changes you will experience in your life?

That is what most expectant moms are doing as they stumble through their pregnancy, hurdling over each obstacle along the way. By the time pregnant patients come to me they are already exhausted and in pain. They may have tried to go to another in network mill and weren’t able to get the care that they needed. Or maybe it’s the post partum mom, arriving to me after they tried to run when the were cleared by the OB to exercise, and then noticed a tell tell bulge in her vagina.

While I provide both prenatal and postnatal therapy to help address these concerns, there are numerous advantages in incorporating a pregnancy and postpartum wellness program which incorporates pelvic floor physical therapy sessions at structured points throughout the course of your pregnancy. What if we took a thorough, honest look at our capabilities, expectations and obstacles and gave the expectant parent all the tools to navigate their pregnancy, armed with knowledge so that they can navigate any challenges that arise? What if we already had a postpartum recovery program to help us confidently enter the fourth trimester? By combining a prenatal and postpartum physical therapy program that’s just what you are doing.

So how does it work?

We begin with an initial treatment evaluation to address your posture, strength, flexibility and provide an exercise and activity progression to perform weekly. We will discuss a timeline and expectations for what may happen throughout the pregnancy. 

If the pregnant mom is feeling well, confident in their birth plan, painfree and moving well, then we can skip some of the in person sessions for virtual appointments to check in every month until the mom is due. If other pregnancy pains begin to be more of a concern, we can continue with pelvic floor physical therapy treatment sessions as needed. 

As you progress through the third trimester you will come in session to begin perineal stretching and get more tailored expectations for post delivery. There won’t be any late night googling, “best exercises for pregnancy”, “Physical therapy for moms” or “What support garments should I have after birth?”. We will walk through any products you might want to have to assure you’re as comfortable as can be after delivery. We will review some basic movement principles and how you can get around with a newborn. 

After birth we will have another check in to assess what are the needs of the new parents after delivery. You will already be prepared with any exercises you can do at your own pace and we can highlight the most important ones for you to prioritize during this time when your energy and sleep will be at its lowest. 

Once you have been cleared for return to pelvic floor PT, we will have our first appointment at 6 weeks for an evaluation of the pelvic muscles, assess tissue healing and address posture, breathing and strength. We will continue to tailor your exercise program based off of your needs, which could be weekly check ins, or even monthly. We will return you on a return to activity program including post partum running program and HIT with a full progression to help you feel confident every step of the way.

The benefit of combining prenatal and postpartum physical therapy into a comprehensive plan, allows for the mom to feel confident and in control at all points of the pregnancy and beyond. At Nicole Meyer Physical Therapy and Wellness, we offer mobile, in home pelvic floor physical therapy in Ventura, during pregnancy and postpartum. Nicole Meyer Physical Therapy and Wellness is the only WCS board certified pelvic floor physical therapist providing mobile pelvic floor physical therapy in Ventura so that you can have the pregnancy and postpartum return to wellness that you’ve envisioned.