The pelvic physiotherapy consultation during pregnancy is an important resource for the self-knowledge of the body, for the discovery and integration of movement as a fundamental element of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and for the promotion of comfort and well-being during these 9 months full of challenges resulting from the physiological changes necessary for the baby’s growth and development.
The most frequent reasons for seeking this consultation include:
- Management of pain symptoms in the abdominal, lower back, pelvic region, among others, including sciatica. There are no “normal pains” of pregnancy.
- Assessment and adaptation of strategies used in exercising (breathing pattern, pressure management) and/or development of a personalized exercise plan according to your needs and goals. Movement is health. A mobile and free pelvis and functional muscle groups are determining factors for a physiological birth.
- Information about the pelvic floor: knowing and taking care of it during pregnancy. The pelvic floor supports organs such as the bladder, ovaries and uterus. It is also responsible for controlling our sphincters, that is, responsible for continence, and has an important role in sexual function. A functional pelvic floor is one that has the ability to contract and stretch according to the body’s needs. The muscles of the perineum should be strong enough to handle a pressure increase (for example in situations of effort, such as when coughing or sneezing) but, on the other hand, flexible enough to relax and stretch (for example, during birth, shaping itself to the passage of the baby’s body).
- Assessment of the pelvic floor functionality. In this consult, not only the structures that belong to the pelvic floor are evaluated, but also those that are related to it (abdominal region, diaphragm, among others). Good pelvic health habits are also made known, and which signs and symptoms may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction, so that situations like these can be prevented or quickly diagnosed and treated.
- Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions, which may be the cause of symptoms such as leakage of urine or gas/stool; feeling of constant pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area; pain in the pelvic region; pain or burning sensation before, during, or after sexual intercourse; pain or burning sensation when urinating/pain when defecating; chronic constipation; hemorrhoids and/or air leakage from the vagina.
- Learning and performing perineal massage. The perineal massage during pregnancy may reduce the risk of perineal trauma in the first vaginal delivery. Additionally, in pregnant women with perineal symptoms (e.g. pain, excessive tension, difficulty in relaxing these muscles) or with previous laceration or episiotomy scars, perineal massage also plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of further damage to the perineum. Along with massage, there are a number of strategies/options that can have a great impact on the perineum during labor and that will also be addressed in consultation.
Physiotherapy consultations can be held at UTERUS and at home. Consultation packs are available for those situations that require more regular attendance.
Contact us for more information or scheduling.