Movement is a huge part of my life. My career is in the field of exercise and wellness. It is also one of my main hobbies. When I found out I was pregnant with my first, this did not change. I continued to exercise up until the end of pregnancy. Here I am pregnant with my second and I had the same goal this time around as well. In my mind, staying active and maintaining muscle mass could only have a positive impact while pregnant, right?! Yes and no, in my case.
I am days away from my due date and am going into this labor and delivery with tools in my toolbox that I did not have with my firstborn. During my second trimester, I was beginning to experience low back pain and was motivated to strengthen my core and pelvic floor in preparation for labor and delivery. I talked with my coworkers (lucky me, I work at a physical therapy clinic) and realized I would benefit from getting a referral for women’s health physical therapy. I am so thankful I did.
As we know, the body changes from week to week especially as pregnancy progresses. My physical therapy experience followed a similar path; we would pivot depending on how my body was responding and changing throughout my pregnancy. First, we focused on breath work. I learned how to use my breath to help relax and stretch the pelvic floor muscles in a variety of different positions. Then, we identified the need for more stability and focused more on strength training. As I got further into my third trimester, my low back pain started increasing. We moved away from strengthening and focused on yoga and stretching. Now as I am nearing the end, I am using what I learned at the beginning about breath, as I work through more intense Braxton-Hicks contractions. My midwives know that when hospital staff cue me to “push”, that I would like to focus on relaxing. I am preparing my mind and body for labor and delivery. I’m as ready as I can be!
I am now a believer that all women can benefit from physical therapy throughout pregnancy. Our bodies undergo such significant changes. Many of those changes bring on discomfort and pain, which we are expected to simply tolerate. But, what if some of that discomfort could be alleviated? Physical therapy was my answer and I am sure it could help so many others in my position.
My perspective has also shifted in big ways. I have learned the significance of listening to my body rather than ignoring or pushing through pain. For so many years, I focused on the importance of maintaining strength and staying fit, but this experience has put light on the significance of being able to slow down and stretch and relax muscles as well. I am so glad that I listened to my body and got a referral to work with our women’s health physical therapist.
Want to learn more about our Women’s Health Program? Visit us here.
Stay tuned for our blog on returning to exercise postpartum next week!