Perinatal Care

The perinatal period begins at 22 weeks of gestation and ends 7 days after birth. Physiotherapists provide perinatal care for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and are experiencing conditions such as muscle, joint and nerve pain.

Consulting with a physiotherapist for perinatal care will provide education on the changes that occur during and after pregnancy, an individualized exercise program, education on the correct lifting and holding techniques when baby is born, as well as ensuring the pelvic floor muscles are returning to proper function and strength.

Changes to a woman’s body during and after pregnancy affect muscles, ligaments and joints. A physiotherapist can help prevent and treat these conditions:

• Stretching of the deep abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles
• Stretching and/or tearing of the top layer of abdominal tissue/fascia
• Stretching of ligaments due to hormone changes, which affect the pelvis in particular to allow for the baby to pass through the birth canal
• Joint mobility changes which can result in lower back or pelvic pain
• Incontinence due to stretching or tearing of the pelvic floor tissue

Contact a registered physiotherapist in your area to learn more about perinatal care, education and exercise during your pregnancy.