Postpartum
Pelvic Floor Therapy
You've had a baby and now you're wanting to start feeling like yourself again. But where do you start? Maybe you're having some symptoms that haven't resolved after pregnancy and delivery. You keep hoping they will go away on their own, but they haven't. Is this something you just have to live with?
I'm here to help you navigate Postpartum changes - whether you are 6 weeks postpartum or 16 years. I want to help you learn the difference between symptoms that are COMMON in the postpartum woman, and things that are "normal."
Early Postpartum Exercise
What should you be doing to help heal your body in the first few weeks after giving birth? Many new moms aren't sure what they should be doing, and a lot of us are doing too much, trying to "bounce back" too soon. Unfortunately this may lead to dysfunction later down the road, because we didn't properly recover before jumping back into all the things.
Diastasis Rectus Abdominis
Nearly all women will develop an increased separation (diastasis) of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy. For some, this will return to normal on it's own. For many others, this separation will persist without some help. This separation may cause weakness, back pain, pressure, or a belly pooch. With proper management this can be reduced.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Due to all the stretching, posture changes, and weight gain that occur during pregnancy, the support structures for you organs can get lax, leading to descent of the organs in the pelvic cavity. This may present as back pain, pelvic pressure, or feeling like your organs are falling out. Returning to daily activity may cause these symptoms to worsen. If any of this sounds familiar, you should know that there are many strategies to help improve these symptoms and get you back to doing whatever it is you do.
Return to Run/Exercise
For many new moms they are given the "all clear" around 6 weeks after giving birth. But they do not have a roadmap for how to get back into exercise. Although, your organs and tissues are healed, your muscles and joints are not fully recovered. It is important to progressively return to high level activity, while monitoring for signs that you may need some modifications.
Urinary Incontinence
Do you leak urine since having your baby? Have you been told this is normal? Or just something you have to live with? Whether you leak urine with exercise, sneezing, or can't make it to the bathroom in time, this is not normal. Even after having a baby. There are many changes you can make to help you stay dry, and be able to wear whatever pants you want.
Pelvic Pain
Just because you've had a baby doesn't mean you have to live with pelvic pain. Whether this pain is superficial or deep inside, at the tailbone, or occurs with penetration, pain is not a normal response. If you are having pain with activity or constant pain, you can learn how to get rid of the pain and get back to normal.
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What can I expect at my 1st Pelvic Floor Therapy visit?Prior to your pelvic floor therapy visit you will complete paperwork that includes questions about your health history and your reason for coming in. At your first appointment you will have an opportunity to share any information that is relevant to your care. Based on the information you provide a detailed examination will be performed, which may include assessment of muscular strength and mobility, posture assessment, analysis of breathing technique, assessment of pain, biomechanics during activity, and internal/external pelvic floor assessment. Based on findings from the exam and your individual goals, a treatment plan with be recommended.
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Do I need a referral from my doctor to be treated?If your doctor has given you a prescription for physical therapy please bring that with you to your appointment. However, a prescription or referral is not needed. The state of Kansas has direct access to physical therapy which allows for evaluation and treatment without referral from another provider. If within 10 visits or 15 business days you are not progressing toward treatment goals, the PT must get a referral from an appropriately licensed healthcare provider.
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Do you do Virtual or In-Home appointments?I offer a few virtual or in-home appointments. Please contact me to discuss your situation to determine if you are appropriate for this type of visit.
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At what point during pregnancy should I make an appointment?This depends on your needs. If you are having symptoms, you should make an appointment now. If you are not having symptoms, you can wait until the 2nd Trimester to start your care. There are things that you can be doing throughout your entire pregnancy to prepare for birth. Typically in the 3rd Trimester is when you will learn more of the specifics related to labor and delivery. If you are already well into the 3rd Trimester, it is not too late. You will learn techniques that you can implement right away to make labor and delivery easier.
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How long after having a baby do you recommend starting Pelvic Floor Therapy?At about 3-4 weeks postpartum I like to address simple exercises to re-engage the core and pelvic floor, teach proper posture to use during baby care activities, and address any aches and pains that are creeping up. I highly recommend all postpartum women have an assessment around 6-8 weeks postpartum. This visit will address pelvic floor function, core engagement, progression to full exercise or daily activities, and any symptoms that are persisting. By learning how to properly recover, you can prevent many problems in the future.