The postpartum period is emotionally and physically demanding for women. To your still recovering body is added the challenge of caring for a newborn baby, often not knowing what it is to sleep more than two or three hours in a row. After the great changes in your body during the 9 months of pregnancy, it needs time to readjust, and it is not wise to ‘force’ your recovery by rushing it too much.
During this consultation, the physical therapist will evaluate your body’s signs of recovery and identify any deviations from normality, giving you precise guidelines to promote a more effective recovery.
The postpartum check-up appointment should ideally take place between 4 and 6 weeks after delivery, or later if you do not have the opportunity to do it before.
During the consultation, the physical therapist will have the opportunity to:
- Assess the recovery/functionality of the structures that constitute the pelvic floor and those related to it, in order to ensure their functionality for the demands of everyday life. In the presence of symptoms or dysfunction (urinary or fecal incontinence, prolapses, sexual dysfunctions, among others), an intervention plan will be proposed according to the evaluation performed.
- Evaluate the function and the separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis). During pregnancy, the two layers of the rectus abdominis muscles tend to separate to accommodate your baby. If this diastasis persists after delivery, it is important to understand if it is interfering with the function of the abdominal wall and act accordingly. Based on this assessment, the physical therapist presents a set of strategies to take into consideration to prepare for the return to exercise and daily activities.
- Assess scar tissue mobility (abdominal and perineal). The mobility of the scar tissue (often compromised by adhesions), the region’s sensitivity, and the screening for changes such as fibrosis or keloids, are examples of parameters to be taken into account in scar evaluation. Scar massage may be an essential resource to achieve a good recovery and avoid possible side effects (back pain, mobility restriction, “stinging” sensation, pain during sexual intercourse).
- Prepare the (re)start of the exercise practice. In this “transition” phase, it is important to understand what precautions to take when returning to exercise, as well as the timings and type of exercise that is most recommended. By analyzing the collected information during the check-up, and taking into account your goals and expectations, the physiotherapist gives precise and personalized guidance about the most adequate exercise practice for your physical condition in this period, as well as the ideal time to start.
- Eliminate any tension, pain, or musculoskeletal discomfort. It is common for women to feel some kind of pain or discomfort during this period. The neck and shoulder area tends to be the main target of complaints, but symptoms may appear on another regions. Through a proper evaluation, the physiotherapist will be able to identify the cause of the symptoms and indicate the best strategies for their relief.
Physiotherapy consultations can be held at UTERUS and at home.
Contact us here for more information or scheduling.