THE HEALTHY MOTHERS PROGRAM​
 

Pelvic floor physical therapy can significant benefit mothers, making pregnancy easier and smoothing the delivery process.  Physical therapy can make pregnancy more comfortable, reduce low back or pelvic pain, find the optimal birth position(s), reduce the risk of tearing during delivery, and prevent common post-natal issues! 

 

At PelvicSanity, we've developed a 5-visit program for mothers that brings them through pregnancy and into the post-natal period.  The program starts around the 24-week mark, and finishes with a visit 6 weeks after delivery.

VISIT SCHEDULE​

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The Healthy Mothers program walks you through the major steps of your pregnancy, from week 24 through delivery.​

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• Visit 1: 24 Weeks.  This visit focuses on a complete initial evaluation and education about the changes you can expect through the pregnancy. 

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• Visit 2: ~28 Weeks.  This visit can take place anytime after the first appointment.  It focuses on posture, exercises, and other techniques to prevent discomfort (like low back pain or pelvic pain) during pregnancy.  This visit can also include advice for safely continuing exercise through pregnancy.

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• Visit 3: ~32 Weeks.  At the third visit, you (and your significant other, if possible) will learn perineal massage, which may reduce the risk and/or severity of tears during delivery.  This visit will also include information on GI health during pregnancy and additional follow-up on pregnancy and preventing discomfort.

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• Visit 4: 36 Weeks.  Typically about 4 weeks before delivery, this final pregnancy visit focuses on finding the position which most relaxes the pelvic floor for delivery.  Even small variations in positioning can make a big difference in how much your pelvic floor can relax, resulting in a smoother delivery.

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• Visit 5: 6 Weeks Post-Natal.  In this final visit, your physical therapist will check for common (but not normal!) post-natal symptoms like low back pain, incontinence, diastasis recti, painful intercourse, scar adhesions, and prolapse.  This visit, which is required for new mothers in many developed countries, will help you return to normal activities, teach proper posture for lifting and carrying with a child, and ensure the pelvic floor is recovering properly following delivery (even for C-sections!).  

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We also have the option to add in additional pregnancy massage visits to further alleviate any discomfort, or focusing on exercise through pregnancy and returning safely following delivery.

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RESOURCES

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• Healthy Mothers Program Overview

• Diastasis Recti Oveview

• Incontinence Overview

• Prolapse Overview

• Painful Intercourse Overview

• Common - not Normal! - Post-Natal Symptoms

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