Women are amazing! A women’s body carries life, nurtures and protects while a life is created. For 40 weeks your baby grows within your body and then you bring them into this world in what is a glorious and amazing experience. But 40 weeks is a long time and whether you have your baby vaginally or through C-section there is an injury left to your body that is often ignored, which can leave the new mom with symptoms that are often considered normal. Today we will discuss possible injuries and symptoms that may be caused by pregnancy and birth.
Many women have a wonderful pregnancy without problems but if you are not one of the “lucky ones” there are options. Women can experience hip and back pain from postural changes, foot pain, pelvic floor weakness and occasionally get a prolapse or incontinence during pregnancy, general weakness and diastasis recti (separation of the rectus abdominus muscles at the linea alba). Sometimes these symptoms can be caused by muscle weakness and skeletal alignment issues that can be lessened or resolved with physical therapy during your pregnancy. You do not have to suffer through the pain!
During birth injuries to the body can occur such as needing a C-section, tearing, episiotomy, muscle strain and public symphysis irritation. These injuries can heal with significant scar tissue leaving us with pain and weakness. These injuries can also leave us with improper function of the abdominals and pelvic floor muscles causing us post-partum symptoms of incontinence, prolapse and pain.
Symptoms and problems following child birth are common and far too often treated as being normal. Treatable problems following childbirth are listed below.
Pelvic floor weakness Pelvic floor tightness
Pelvic floor scarring Abdominal scarring
Painful intercourse Core weakness
Prolapse Incontinence
Constipation Difficulty fully emptying bladder or bowels
General weakness Low back pain
Mid/upper back pain Diastasis recti
SIJ dysfunction Pubic Symphysis pain
Groin pain Fatigue
Pelvic floor physical therapy can be a great help for most women in reducing or resolving their symptoms. The earlier you get treated the quicker and better the outcomes!
What are some questions to ask yourself to figure out if you would benefit from post-partum physical therapy?
1. “Do I leak urine when I cough, sneeze or laugh? Even if it is just a little?”
If yes, this is a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction. Although the symptoms may not bother you too much now, the issues with the pelvic floor can lead to worsening problems in years to come.
2. “Do I have frequent urination?”
Going to the bathroom too frequently can be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction
3. “Do I have difficulty emptying the bladder?”
Difficulty emptying your bladder can be a sign of pelvic floor tightness
4. “Do I have constipation issues?”
Constipation following childbirth can be a sign of pelvic floor tightness or prolapse.
5. “Do I have a separation of the abdominal wall?”
Diastasis recti can be a cause of abdominal weakness, low back pain, abdominal pain and increase the risk of hernia. This is treatable and often can get the gap to close. At minimum we can teach your abdominals how to engage properly to avoid worsening separation and reduce the risk of hernia.
6. “Do I have pain with daily tasks and taking care of child? Do I have pain when returning to exercise?”
Any pain following birth is most likely due to imbalances in the muscle, improper mechanics or restrictions in mobility. Physical therapy can help identify the problems and teach you how to help yourself.
7. “Do I have pain with intercourse?”
Common with pelvic floor tightness and scar tissue
8. “Do I have pressure in the pelvic region or lower abdominal region?”
Common with prolapse, tightness and diastasis recti
9. “Do I have anything that feels like it is “falling out” or closure to the vagina opening?
This is a prolapse symptom. These symptoms can often be reduced with treatment.
10. “Do I feel like my energy is not coming back and I’m not sure how to begin exercising safely?”
Physical therapy can help you begin getting back into shape in order to get back to the activities you love
If you are just not sure if you need physical therapy, schedule an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist. A thorough assessment of your alignment, strength, pelvic floor and abdominal tissue with be assessed for any issues that could be causing symptoms now or bring symptoms on later. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help you figure out if your body is ready to return to sports, lifting or whatever exercise or activity you love and teach you the tools to regain the function and strength needed.
