Athos Physio has supported tens of pregnant women over the past 2 years. It is something we are proud and passionate about and it’s not just about physiotherapy. In our modern age, more and more pregnant women seek advice and create a strong support system of professionals around them during the amazing journey before and after giving birth. The variety of that support is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong approach, it’s all about your personal circumstances and the level of guidance you wish to have.

Types of Support and the Role of Physio during Pregnancy

Below are some key professionals and the most common types of prenatal and postnatal support and guidance.

1. Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN): An OB/GYN is a medical doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and women's reproductive health. They provide prenatal care, monitor the progress of the pregnancy, address any medical concerns, and guide the woman throughout the pregnancy journey.

2. Midwife: Midwives are healthcare professionals who specialize in supporting women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. They provide personalized care, education, and emotional support, often with a focus on natural childbirth. Midwives can work in hospitals, and birth centres, or offer home births.

3. Childbirth Educator: Childbirth educators teach expectant parents about pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. They conduct classes or workshops to teach various topics, including prenatal nutrition, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, stages of labour, and newborn care. Their goal is to empower women and their partners with knowledge and confidence.

4. Mental Health Professional: Pregnancy can bring about a range of emotions and mental health concerns. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can provide support for issues like anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or previous trauma. They can offer counselling, therapy, or medication management if needed.

5. Lactation Consultant: If a woman plans to breastfeed her baby, a lactation consultant can provide invaluable guidance and support. They assist with latching, overcoming breastfeeding challenges, managing milk supply, and addressing any concerns or difficulties that may arise.

6. Physiotherapist: Pregnancy can cause changes in the body and lead to discomfort or pain. A physiotherapist specialized in prenatal care can provide exercises, stretches, and techniques to promote optimal physical health and address common issues like back pain, pelvic floor weakness, or postural imbalances. They can also offer guidance on postpartum recovery exercises.

7. Support Groups: Joining a pregnancy or childbirth support group can provide an additional network of individuals going through similar experiences. Sharing stories, exchanging advice, and receiving emotional support from peers can be highly beneficial.

What is the importance of physiotherapy for prenatal and postnatal support?

Consulting a physiotherapist before and after giving birth can be very beneficial for women. Here are some reasons why it is essential to seek the guidance of a physiotherapist during these periods:

Prenatal physiotherapy Support

1. Preparation for Labor & Exercise Guidance: Physiotherapists can provide education on labour positions, breathing techniques, and exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. They can design safe and effective exercise programs tailored to the pregnant woman's needs, helping to maintain strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. This preparation can improve endurance, facilitate optimal positioning of the baby, and enhance the woman's ability to cope with the physical demands of labour.

2. Addressing Pain and Discomfort: Many women experience musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, such as lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic girdle pain and sciatica. Physiotherapists can assess and provide appropriate interventions, including manual therapy, exercises, and ergonomic advice, to alleviate pain and improve comfort.

3. Pelvic Floor Training and Health: Pregnancy can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leading to issues like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or sexual dysfunction. Physiotherapists can guide and educate women in performing pelvic floor muscle exercises correctly, ensuring they are strengthened and functioning. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can aid in preventing or reducing urinary incontinence and support the body during pregnancy and delivery.

4. Posture and body mechanics: Physiotherapists can provide guidance on maintaining good posture and body mechanics to minimize strain on the body as the pregnancy progresses.

Postnatal physiotherapy Support

1. Postpartum Rehabilitation: Physiotherapists play a crucial role in supporting women during the postpartum period. They can provide personalized rehabilitation programs to address specific concerns like diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), pelvic floor dysfunction, or musculoskeletal pain. These programs focus on rebuilding strength, improving posture, restoring function, and promoting overall recovery.

2. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: Physiotherapists can guide women in performing appropriate pelvic floor exercises to regain strength, control, and coordination of these muscles. This training is crucial for preventing or managing issues like urinary or faecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

3. Diastasis Recti Management: Diastasis rectus is a condition where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy and may not fully close after delivery. Physiotherapists can assess the degree of separation and provide specific exercises and techniques to promote the healing and strengthening of the abdominal muscles.

4. Restoring Function and Resuming Physical Activity: Physiotherapists can guide women in gradually returning to physical activity and exercise after childbirth. They can provide a structured plan to rebuild strength, improve cardiovascular fitness, and address any postural imbalances or discomfort that may arise during this transition.

5. Emotional Support and Well-being: Physiotherapists can offer emotional support and a safe space for women to discuss their physical concerns, concerns about body image, and adjustment to the postpartum period. They can provide guidance on self-care strategies and refer women to other healthcare professionals if additional support is needed.

In summary, consulting a physiotherapist before and after giving birth is important to ensure optimal physical health, address specific concerns, promote recovery, and enhance overall well-being during the prenatal and postpartum periods. The guidance and support of a physiotherapist can greatly contribute to a woman's physical and emotional well-being during this transformative time.

Seeing the prenatal body transformation and being able to support an individual in maintaining their lifestyle while going through this amazing journey is something that makes us proud and is among the key reasons we exist as a physiotherapy clinic.

But don’t just take our word for it, head to our Google Maps page and read for yourself the personal stories shared in our Google reviews from women that have received our support, Ifrah, Lauren, Melanie and Sarah.