pregnant is such a wonderful adventure, but it’s tough on the body growing a tiny human.
Common conditions that physiotherapy can help are:
Lower back pain
Pelvic Girdle pain
Pain at the front of the pelvis (pubic bone),
Sacrum pain
Tailbone/coccyx pain
Supports and braces are available to hire/purchase
Pelvic floor related symptoms such as prolapse, leaking, constipation
Varicose veins
Carpel Tunnel (hand pain and numbness) - splints are available to purchase and/or hire
Physiotherapy can help ease the symptoms, and give you a treatment plan to hep manage them. You do not have to suffer with back and pelvic pain just because you are pregnant.
Pregnancy WOF
One of the most common questions we get asked as pelvic floor physiotherapists is “What can I do to protect my pelvic floor during birth?”
The answer to this is pretty long so Lesley wrote a blog to help answer this question.
This WOF is recommended by 30 weeks at the latest - the earlier the better. We can assess your individual risk of birthing injuries and pelvic floor dysfunction…and help you significantly decrease those risks.
If you would like a more general discussion, this can be done at any time in your pregnancy from before you find out you are pregnant until baby arrives.
We can chat about:
Pelvic floor concerns and potential injuries
Tummy separation
Any pregnancy related pain e.g. back, pelvic girdle, wrist, neck, hip (there are splints and braces and supports for sale/hire through the clinic)
Importance of breathing and teaching you breathing and pushing techniques
Pain management options
The early post-natal period
Safe exercise in pregnancy & early post natal
Exercise during pregnancy
Gone are the days when pregnancy had women sitting around waiting for baby to arrive. Women are getting active and keeping strong instead. There are so many great benefits of exercising in pregnancy including:
Improved heart function
Decreased risk of gestational diabetes & high blood pressure
Limits weight gain & fat retention
Improved mental state – decreased incidences of postpartum depression and improved body image
Improved fitness
Decreased lumbar and pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
Labour is shorter, easier and less complicated
What is the right amount of exercise, and what is safe? There is a lot of ‘woolly’ information on this subject, and depending what you read on Google, see on Social Media or who you talk to, there’s a whole lot of conflicting advice on this. Unfortunately many fitness professionals are not trained in working with women during pregnancy, and give incorrect advice on modifying their exercise.
There are a number of absolute contraindications to exercise in pregnancy, and High Risk pregnancies will need to be monitored closely.
The bottom line is everybody’s body is different, and no two pregnancies are the same, therefore treatment and advice must be individualised. There are guidelines about what is safe and unsafe during pregnancy, and your level of fitness and activity prior to pregnancy also plays a big part.
Lesley has completed her Advanced Pregnancy Wellness Practitioner Level 2 training, meaning you are in the best hands with your fitness journey. If you would like some advice about exercising in pregnancy, make an appointment and lets chat!
Pregnancy is not only growing your baby, but preparing for life after their grand entrance. Labour puts an enormous amount of strain on your body and pelvic floor and some women do develop dysfunction. Exercises in pregnancy is like preparing your body for the increased challenges it will face in the post natal period. It’s never to late to start walking or getting some exercises in now…while you have the time!
A soft and versatile maternity belt. It can be worn to support the abdomen to relieve the heaviness and pressure down into the the pelvis, or as a support for the pelvis and lower back.
Features:
Helps with proper posture and relieves stress to the body by encouraging proper body position and movements.
Soft pile bonded to foam.
Helps relieve pain by gently lifting the abdomen.
How To Wear:
Position front panel just below belly for support.
Bring straps to back and fasten
Application:
Pregnancy
Low Back Pain
Tubigrip helps to support your bump when you are pregnant. It helps decrease the strain on your tummy muscles and reduce pelvic girdle and back pain. NEW Research shows wearing compression support during pregnancy and in the early weeks post-natal decreases pelvic girdle pain, reduces abdominal/tummy separation, promotes recovery and makes you feel more supported.
Tubigrip provides lasting, effective support with complete freedom of movement. Covered elastic threads within the fabric move to adjust to the contours of the body and distribute pressure evenly over the surface.
What size?
Measure around your bump and chose the size in the middle of the range. You will receive a 1m length of Tubigrip to wear as either a single or double layer.
You should be able to comfortably fit 2 fingers between your skin and the Tubigrip
Please chose carefully as due to hygienic reasons we cannot accept refunds or exchange the tubigrip.
Care and instructions
Skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy. If you do develop a rash or itching under the Tubigrip, try wearing it over a layer of clothing.
Do not use Tubigrip if you have a latex allergy.
Tubigrip is safe to wear overnight on the abdomen.
Tubigrip can be hand washed but should not be tumble dried.
*** Please note ***
***This product is not kept in stock at the clinic and is specially ordered in when you place your order. Due to this we are unable to accept returns or refunds on this item. If suppliers are out of stock/on back order we will notify you ASAP***
Pregnancy: Pelvic & Back Support to reduce pain
Support your "baby carrying" pelvis to reduce the stress placed on it and be in the best shape for delivery. Gentle compression improves muscle tone and stability and reduces your pelvic and back pain.
Designed to be worn under regular clothes, adjustable and most importantly comfortable, SRC Pregnancy short and leggings will assist you in getting though the demands of work and exercise and aid in reduction of leg swelling, they can be worn from 12 weeks, until term.
Anatomical Support Panels deliver targeted compression, ideal for treating multiple conditions such as low back and pelvic girdle pain, vulval and mild / moderate leg varicose veins.
Over the bump: Soft stretch panel
Back Panel: Low back support and sacroiliac joint support
Lower Abdominal Panel: Supports and protects the pregnant tummy
Gusset Panel: Compression for vulval varicose venis and symptoms pubis dysfunction
Leg Panel: Encourages good venous return (medical grade graduated compression at 4-15mmHg)
Recovery: Improve Mobility Heal Faster
Speed up recovery with SRC Recovery Shorts and leggings. Enjoy the support to move freely after delivery and make lifting, feeding, bathing and caring for your baby easier. With no adjustable buttons, velcro or zips, the garment is like a second skin with no need to constantly adjust while wearing.
Recommended by health care professionals for improving mobility and pelvic muscle function post-partum. Garment is ideal for exercise and for aesthetic reasons under fitted clothing. Can be worn the day after delivery and for as long as it provides benefit.
Anatomical Support Panels deliver targeted compression, ideal for treating multiple conditions such as perineal wounds, C-Section, abdominal muscle separation (DRAM).
Back Panel: Back support from T2 to L5
Abdominal Panel: Abdominal muscle seperation (DRAM)
Gusset Panel: Perineal trauma / stitches, C-section wounds
Leg Panel: Encourages good venous return (medical grade graduated compression at 4-15mmHg
Colour: Black
How to measure:
Do not take your own measurement.
Compression garments require accurate to fit function. Be measured in your underwear only. Stand with your heels together and have the person measuring you keep the measuring tape straight. They should place the tape over your hips, pubic bone and bottom at the fullest part. The tape should touch your body at all points but not be pulled tight.
There is now strong evidence showing the use of pelvic girdle belts in the treatment of pregnancy related pelvic girdle and low back pain. Along with physiotherapy treatment, these belts can significantly reduce and even get rid of pain during pregnancy and early post partum. Even non-pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain can benefit form the use of a belt - along with some great physiotherapy treatment too!
These belts can be hired locally around Mid and South Canterbury - please get in touch to organise this.
Features:
May be used post-partum and following traumatic injury.
Relieves instability and stress through compression of the sacroiliac joints.
Reinforcement strap provides additional compression.
Hook and loop closure for easy application.
How To Wear:
For use as Maternity Belt Position belt just below belly for support. Bring straps to back and fasten securely. Pull side straps to adjust tightness then fasten.
For use as Waist Belt
1. Wrap belt around the waist.
2.Bring straps to the front and fasten.
3.Pull side straps and secure to desired compression.
Application:
Pregnancy
Post-partum
Low Back Pain