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Prenatal Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Services Category

Supporting your body, baby, and birth through every stage of pregnancy.
What Is Prenatal Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy is specialized care for women during pregnancy that focuses on the pelvic floor, core, and posture.The pelvic floor muscles form a supportive “hammock” at the base of your pelvis — holding up your bladder, uterus, and bowel.During pregnancy, these muscles experience extra stress from hormonal changes, weight gain, and the growing baby, making preventive care essential.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps you:

  • Stay active and pain-free during pregnancy
  • Prevent or manage incontinence and pelvic pressure
  • Prepare your body and muscles for labor and delivery
  • Recover more smoothly after birth
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy During Pregnancy

Pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy offers both preventive and therapeutic benefits.

 Physical Benefits

  • Prevents urinary leakage and urgency: Strengthening and retraining the pelvic floor improves bladder control.
  • Reduces pelvic, hip, and back pain: Addresses posture, muscle imbalances, and joint mechanics affected by pregnancy hormones (e.g., relaxin).
  • Manages pelvic girdle pain or pubic symphysis dysfunction: Gentle manual therapy and stabilization exercises can reduce strain and pain.
  • Improves circulation and reduces swelling: Targeted movement and breathing help with lymphatic flow and comfort.
  • Supports your growing baby safely: Strengthens muscles needed to carry pregnancy with less fatigue and discomfort.

 

 Functional Benefits

  • Improves posture and core control as your center of gravity changes.
  • Enhances breathing coordination, helping regulate intra-abdominal pressure and preventing pelvic strain.
  • Helps prepare for labor by teaching perineal relaxation and pushing strategies.
  • Aids postpartum recovery — a stronger, more coordinated pelvic floor before birth can shorten recovery time after delivery.
Common Prenatal Conditions Addressed by Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Pregnancy can bring various physical changes and discomforts. Physiotherapy can help manage and prevent many of them:

Condition Description How Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps
Pelvic Girdle Pain Pain in hips, pubic bone, or lower back due to joint and ligament laxity Gentle stabilization, taping, supportive belts, posture correction
Low Back Pain & Sciatica Caused by posture and pressure changes Strengthening, ergonomic advice, safe mobility exercises
Urinary Leakage Common due to increased pelvic pressure and hormonal changes Pelvic floor muscle training, bladder retraining
Pelvic Pressure or Prolapse Symptoms Sensation of heaviness or bulging Core and breath retraining, positional relief techniques
Constipation or Straining Hormonal and dietary changes slow digestion Education on bowel mechanics, abdominal massage, breathing strategies
Swelling and Circulation Issues Common in legs and pelvic area Gentle exercise, lymphatic flow movement, positioning advice
Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation) Widening of the midline between abdominal muscles Core activation techniques and posture re-education
Prenatal Education & Birth Preparation

Prenatal pelvic health physiotherapy also focuses on education and awareness — preparing you for labor and recovery.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Pelvic floor awareness: How to feel, contract, and relax your pelvic floor correctly.
  • Perineal preparation: Safe perineal stretching and massage techniques starting around 34–36 weeks to reduce tearing risk.
  • Breathing and pushing techniques: Learn to coordinate breath and core for more efficient labor.
  • Labor positioning: Discover positions that support comfort, reduce pressure on pelvic joints, and help baby’s descent.
  • Core and posture care: How to move, bend, and lift safely during pregnancy.
  • Postpartum planning: What to expect after delivery and how to start gentle recovery early.
When Should You Start Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Pregnancy?

You can begin at any stage of pregnancy — the earlier, the better.

  • First Trimester (0–12 weeks): Education, gentle core and breathwork, early symptom prevention.
  • Second Trimester (13–27 weeks): Address changes in posture, manage back/pelvic pain, begin pelvic floor strengthening.
  • Third Trimester (28+ weeks): Focus on relaxation, perineal stretching, labor prep, and birth positioning.

Many women schedule their first assessment around 12–20 weeks and continue with check-ins every few weeks or as needed.

Safety Considerations During Pregnancy

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is safe and supported by medical research when performed by a qualified pelvic health physiotherapist.
All treatments are individualized and non-invasive unless clinically indicated and consented.

Safety Guidelines:

  • No internal exams or manual therapy in the first trimester, unless cleared by your healthcare provider.
  • Internal techniques are only performed with informed consent and in medically stable pregnancies.
  • Exercises are modified for comfort — avoiding lying flat after 20 weeks (to prevent vena cava compression).
  • All sessions prioritize your comfort, privacy, and baby’s safety.
  • Your therapist will communicate with your obstetrician or midwife as needed.

Always consult your physician or midwife before starting physiotherapy if you have:

  • High-risk pregnancy
  • Placenta previa, bleeding, or preterm contractions
  • Pre-eclampsia or other medical complications



Key Takeaways
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy is safe, effective, and empowering.
  • It helps prevent pain, leakage, and prolapse while preparing your body for birth.
  • Early education can improve your birth experience and postpartum recovery.
  • Your comfort, consent, and safety always come first.
Caring for your pelvic floor during pregnancy is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself — and your baby.
Ask your pelvic floor physiotherapist today about starting prenatal sessions