The time after delivery is known as the postpartum period and this is one of the most important phases in a woman’s life. As the body tries to return to pre-pregnancy state, the physical influences at this time can affect the long-term health of the mother.
After undergoing radical changes for much of 9 months and an exhausting delivery process, moms are often overwhelmed by the responsibilities of childcare. Their body, specifically the pelvis never gets a chance to heal and recover.
Here are the 4 most common physical complaints of post-partum period.
After undergoing radical changes for much of 9 months and an exhausting delivery process, moms are often overwhelmed by the responsibilities of childcare. Their body, specifically the pelvis never gets a chance to heal and recover.
Here are the 4 most common physical complaints of post-partum period.
- Urinary Incontinence: The “leaky” bladder is not just a problem during pregnancy, it persists in over 80% of women after giving birth! Often, the leaking happens with coughing, sneezing, running, etc. but can happen with almost any activity of daily life. The research shows that leaking does not go away by itself and should be addressed soon after delivery.
- Diastasis Recti: In simple terms, it is separation of the superficial layer of abdominal muscles due to excessive intra-abdominal pressure. Women usually notice a protruding belly or a “pouch/bulge” which is most evidentright after childbirth. Sometimes, the mothers notice that they still look “pregnant” after having the baby. The usual exercises for abdominals like crunches and planks can often hurt rather than help the problem.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Sometimes due to weakness of muscles and ligaments, the organs like bladder, uterus and bowel can droop down outside the vaginal opening. Again, pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened to help support these organs back into their place.
4. Lower Back Pain: Lower back pain is extremely common in new mothers and often multifactorial. All of the conditions explained above can compromise core stability and contribute to lower back pain. In addition to that, demands of childcare like frequent lifting, carrying, and breastfeeding, etc.can put repetitive stress on joints in the spine and pelvis.
What can you do?
Postpartum Rehabilitation focuses on the health of new mothers by customizing the program to the unique physiological changes of pregnancy and demands of childcare. The program focuses on improving posture and alignment, strengthening trunk and pelvic floor muscles, and training in proper breastfeeding/childcare positions. It is important to know that all of the above conditions are closely related to each other and should be addressed as a unit. Often the lower back pain is caused by underlying pelvic floor weakness and won’t improve until incontinence is addressed. A good program looks at abdominal, lower back, and pelvic floor muscles individually as well as a coordinated system.
If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, give your body some much-needed TLC. See a Women’s Health Physical Therapist at Func Physio Physical Therapy and get back to things you love. Sooner the better!
Func Physio Physical Therapy
111 Brooke Street, 3rdFloor
Scarsdale , NY
Contact : 347 497 0500
www.funcphysio.com
Postpartum Rehabilitation focuses on the health of new mothers by customizing the program to the unique physiological changes of pregnancy and demands of childcare. The program focuses on improving posture and alignment, strengthening trunk and pelvic floor muscles, and training in proper breastfeeding/childcare positions. It is important to know that all of the above conditions are closely related to each other and should be addressed as a unit. Often the lower back pain is caused by underlying pelvic floor weakness and won’t improve until incontinence is addressed. A good program looks at abdominal, lower back, and pelvic floor muscles individually as well as a coordinated system.
If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, give your body some much-needed TLC. See a Women’s Health Physical Therapist at Func Physio Physical Therapy and get back to things you love. Sooner the better!
Func Physio Physical Therapy
111 Brooke Street, 3rdFloor
Scarsdale , NY
Contact : 347 497 0500
www.funcphysio.com
Written by Nidhi Sharma, PT, DPT, OCS
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