Author: Rachel Tinius

A Women’s Health Physical Therapist (WHPT) is a  licensed healthcare clinician trained to evaluate and treat neuromuscular conditions related to  pregnancy, postpartum, incontinence, and pain. We commit ourselves to learning and caring for women in all phases of life.  

PRENATAL/PREGNANCY

Your body is supporting and growing a child.  It is essential you are at your best in order to carry to term, deliver, and care for this life.  A WHPT understands the needs of women and the changes that occur during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum.  During pregnancy a WHPT can help address the pains associated with your changing body. These include but are not limited to  lower back pain, , pelvic pain/pressure, neck/shoulder pain, bladder and bowel issues (leaking, constipation), and abdominal wall concerns (e.g. diastasis recti).   Although many attribute these as “normal” conditions, these are issues that are not normal but ARE manageable and treatable!  A women’s health  specialist can improve your quality of life through the pregnancy, prepare you for delivery, and prepare you to care for your new baby postpartum 

POSTPARTUM

You have taken care of yourself to deliver your baby.  Now,  let’s talk about how to take care of you!  Your body has changed over the last 9 months and will continue to change over the next 6-18 months.  While many physical changes are very common after pregnancy and delivery (for example, leaking urine), they are not normal and you do not have to live with them!  Urinary incontinence (leaking urine for any reason) is considered normal for 2 weeks after delivery, as well as some pelvic heaviness and pressure (prolapse). 

 If these problems persist after 2 weeks, a WHPT can help with exercises and lifestyle/behavioral modifications to reduce and potentially reverse your issues.  They can also help with the aches and pains associated with childcare activities including: neck and back pain, wrist and hand pain, prolonged or painful postures, and/or numbness and tingling in arms, legs, or pelvic area.  Other issues that can occur are diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscle), swelling in the legs or pelvis, and pelvic pain with vaginal penetration.  It is important to address these problems early so you may return to your previous activity level and care for your baby without interference or pain.  

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

What is your pelvic floor?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues running from your pubic bone to your tail bone that supports your pelvic organs, bladder, uterus, and bowel. If you think about your pelvis as a bowl, the pelvic floor is the bottom of the bowl.

Why is it important?

Maintaining an appropriate level of tension in the pelvic floor allows you to have the support necessary to hold up the pelvic organs while also allowing the relaxation necessary for urination, bowl movements, and painful sex.

Common pelvic floor disorder symptoms:

• Peeing when you laugh, sneeze, run, jump, or change positions (i.e. lifting your child from the floor)
• Pain with sex
• Pelvic pain with daily activities and/or at rest
• Feeling of heaviness in the vagina (many describe this feeling as “if a tampon is falling out” or “sitting on a tennis ball”)
• Constant need to pee or feel like you have a “small” bladder
• Need to get to a toilet in a hurry or not make it there in time (frequent sudden urge to pee). This is sometimes triggered by running water, cold temperatures, putting your key in the door, or getting out of your car upon arriving at home.

Pregnancy naturally places an increased demand and pressure on the pelvic floor. Tendencies such as breath holding, prolonged postures or alignment, bearing down into the pelvic floor, muscle tension, and constipation may also increase your risk for pelvic floor disorders at this time. Because of this, it is important for you to be aware of your daily tendencies as well as strategies during exercise in order to reduce your risk of pelvic floor symptoms during pregnancy and after delivery.   

If you are unaware of your current tendencies, please seek out a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist or a qualified pregnancy and postpartum fitness specialist to help you understand your movement patterns more during this time.

Casey Thomas-Hardesty, MS, NTP // Two Peas Wellness

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.