Navigating Your Pregnancy Journey with Pelvic Health
During pregnancy, people go through significant emotional and physical changes in a short period of time. Connecting with a healthcare professional who understands all the ways you are changing can help guide you in your pregnancy.
Some of our chiropractors and registered massage therapists have additional training in pregnancy and postnatal care. If you would like this kind of support, let the clinic know and we can help bring it into your plan.
When can I be seen for a Pelvic Health Assessment?
Preconception: This will allow your physiotherapists to better understand your needs and create a baseline to help support your pregnancy’s and post-natal care.
Pregnancy: Generally, we recommend the first prenatal visit during the second trimester, and again around 34-35 weeks. You can come in during the first trimester if you have questions or concerns, however, please note we do not perform internal exams during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some clients may require additional sessions during that time, depending on their specific concerns and treatment goals.
Postpartum: 6 to 8 weeks postpartum, however it is never too late.
Seeing a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist during your pregnancy can help with:
- Preventing any aches/pains or detecting things early
- Promote physical activity and exercise
- Urinary incontinence care (early detection or prevention)
- Birth Preparation (Birth choices, positions, Pain education)
After Pregnancy care can help with:
- Pelvic health, Pelvic Floor awareness & rehabilitation
- Scar Care
- Body discomfort & mobility restrictions
- Abdominal separation
- Abdominal weakness & increase progressive exercise
Would I benefit from Pelvic floor assessment after a C-Section?
Caesarean delivery involves major abdominal surgery, and whether it’s planned or not, it’s important to rehab your abdominals and get your pelvic floor checked after. Regardless of the type of delivery, the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are placed under significant load throughout pregnancy.
Pelvic Pain during Pregnancy
Pelvic pain in pregnancy can be severe, and change throughout the duration of your pregnancy as your body changes. This may involve your pubic symphysis, SI joints, hips or low back. We have strategies that can help reduce the pain and help you manage day to day.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your physiotherapist asks about symptoms, health history, pregnancy or birth experience, bladder and bowel habits, pain and your activity goals. Discuss any medical precautions and bring relevant information from your maternity or surgical team. The examination may include posture, breathing, movement and abdominal or pelvic-floor function.
An internal examination may be offered if clinically appropriate, but only after an explanation and your informed consent. You can decline, pause or stop it and discuss external assessment options. Treatment may include relaxation or strengthening, movement advice, pain-management strategies and an individualized home program. Not every pelvic-floor problem needs stronger contractions.
Recovery and Return to Activity
Progress depends on the symptoms, healing, delivery or surgery, sleep, daily demands and other health factors. Rehabilitation commonly takes place over weeks to months. A plan for urinary leakage, for example, may need several months of supervised practice rather than a few appointments. Review symptoms and function with your therapist before increasing exercise demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
During pregnancy, there is an increased demand on the pelvic floor as it works to support the weight of the uterus as the baby grows inside the womb. Over the course of the pregnancy, the muscles and ligaments comprising the pelvic floor can become lengthened and weak due to this sustained increase in load. During labour, these tissues are stretched further, and in some cases may undergo additional trauma due to tearing, cutting (episiotomy) or use of forceps/suction during delivery. Changes in the strength, tone and contractility of the pelvic floor following pregnancy and delivery is often why some women experience symptoms of incontinence (leakage), pelvic pain or prolapse post-partum.
There is strong evidence to support pelvic floor physiotherapy for the treatment of incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain among other conditions. Depending on your symptoms, and the therapist’s assessment, treatment may include strengthening of the pelvic floor, learning to relax the pelvic floor, education on self-management strategies and/or manual therapy. Following your initial assessment, the therapist will discuss which treatments are indicated in the treatment of your condition, and work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan.
The therapist reviews your symptoms, pregnancy or birth history, health precautions and goals, then offers an appropriate assessment. You will discuss the findings, an initial home plan and follow-up. Bring relevant reports and ask about any preparation instructions before the visit.
No. It is optional and requires your informed consent. Your therapist explains its purpose, risks and alternatives. You can decline or stop at any time and discuss external assessment. Coast Therapy does not perform internal exams during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
No. You don’t need to wait six weeks to reach out. You can contact us earlier if you have questions, concerns, or symptoms you’d like to discuss. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist can help determine when an assessment is appropriate based on your symptoms, type of birth, healing, and medical advice.
A more comprehensive pelvic floor assessment is often scheduled around 6 to 8 weeks after birth, but the timing can vary. If you are experiencing significant pain, heavy bleeding, signs of infection, or other urgent maternity or postoperative concerns, seek medical care promptly.
Yes, an assessment may help with abdominal rehabilitation, scar concerns, pelvic-floor function and return to activity. The plan should respect your healing and any instructions from the surgical or maternity team.
There is no single timetable for every symptom or birth experience. Start with activities appropriate to your healing and gradually increase demands with guidance. Review leakage, heaviness, pain and activity tolerance as part of progression; persistent symptoms may need a longer program or medical assessment.