Prenatal and Post-Partum

Prenatal

Your body goes through significant changes during pregnancy. Despite these being natural changes, you may experience challenges with the transition.

 

Common Concerns During Pregnancy:
• Pelvic girdle pain (low back and/or pubic)
• Coccydynia (coccyx pain)
• Vaginal heaviness
• Vulvar varicose veins
• Constipation
• Urinary incontinence

Even if you do not experience any of these concerns, pelvic floor physiotherapy is a fantastic tool to learn how to fully relax the pelvic floor muscles, familiarize yourself with your anatomy, learn labouring and delivery positions/strategies, and prepare for postpartum recovery.

 

Post-Partum:

Whether you have had a vaginal or cesarian delivery, your pelvic floor and abdomen has gone through significant changes that can effect its function.

 

Common Concerns Post-Partum:
• Bowel incontinence
• Bladder incontinence
• Instability, stiffness, or pain to the pelvis, hips, or low back
• Vaginal heaviness
• Altered sensation
• Changes in sexual health (pain, changes in desire)
• Cesarian scar
• Vaginal scar

Early evaluation and intervention at 6-8 weeks postpartum can facilitate a smooth recovery.

 

Blocked Milk Ducts:

Blocked milk ducts are common among those who breastfeed. It occurs when milk ducts become blocked and milk is unable to pass through the blockage. If untreated, it can progress to mastitis.

Symptoms:
• Lump on the breast
• Swelling, redness, hotness
• Achiness, fatigue

Until your appointment time for treatment, you can do home treatment including:
• Warm shower or compress
• Massage the lump
• Breastfeed baby on that side (you can massage at the same time)
• Good posture (avoid hunching over)