As women carry babies for nine months, their bodies are constantly changing and evolving to support their pregnancy and the physical changes which occur. Many pregnant women experience unpleasant symptoms with their pregnancies which often times can be managed and improved upon by a pelvic floor physical therapist. As awareness grows for this specialty, many women who receive treatment for their discomfort report increased satisfaction and comfort with their pregnancies as well as a better understanding of how their bodies are changing and how best to take care of themselves during this special time.

Symptoms/Functional Problems
Some symptoms that you might be experiencing are pain (low back, pelvic, vaginal, rectum), feeling pressure in the vaginal area (prolapse), abdominal weakness (DRA), pubic symphysis pain, urinary incontinence (UI), hemorrhoids, and constipation.

Causes
As your baby grows, the increased weight on your pelvic floor increases the demands needed to support the uterus, bladder and rectum. Your pelvic floor is a network of muscles and fascia that support these organs. With increased pressure on those muscles caused by your baby’s position and weight, and a change in your posture, you may experience symptoms like pain in your pelvis, pubic bone, back pain, urinary incontinence, hemorrhoids, constipation, etc. Women commonly report these functional problems in their daily lives while pregnant, and many of these symptoms are treatable and can be improved.

FAQ
Q: What does prenatal pain/dysfunction mean?
A: Prenatal problems refer to complications/dysfunctions that arise for the mother while she is still pregnant.
Q: What is a pelvic floor?
A: Your pelvic floor is a network of muscles & fascia that support your pelvic organs such as the uterus (where your baby is growing), vagina, bladder, and rectum.
Q: Would I benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT)?
A: If you are pregnant and experiencing any of the symptoms described here, you may benefit from PFPT. This specialized therapy is useful in treating many painful and uncomfortable conditions related to pregnancy and postpartum.

Treating and Managing Your Prenatal Pain and Dysfunction (how PFPT helps):
At N-Balance Physical Therapy, we offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a thorough evaluation to identify the cause of the problems you are experiencing and implement an individualized treatment plan to improve your symptoms, quality of life and enjoyment of your pregnancy.