Five Reasons to get Your pelvic floor Checked during pregnancy
Have you thought about your pelvic floor during pregnancy? No matter what type of birth you’re hoping or planning for, your pelvic floor is going to be under increased load as your baby grows.
A pelvic health assessment can be either internal or external, depending on your comfort level. Knowing more about your pelvic floor is key to helping you identify and manage factors that may affect your pelvic health through your pregnancy and beyond.
Some people need to strengthen their pelvic floor, while others need to work on relaxation or coordination.
A preventative approach is just as important as treating existing pelvic health conditions.
Read on to learn more about why you might consider a pelvic health consult during pregnancy.
Management of Pelvic Health Conditions.
Whether you are planning a vaginal or caesarean birth, your pelvic floor requires optimal function to support you during your pregnancy. You may have pre-existing conditions or you may develop concerns during pregnancy.
Common pelvic health concerns include:
Urinary incontinence
Faecal incontinence
Constipation
Prolapse
Pelvic pain conditions
If you already have a pelvic health condition, or you feel one developing, it is important to manage these conditions during pregnancy.
2. Proactive pelvic health care.
A pelvic floor assessment during pregnancy offers valuable insights, even if you're not experiencing any symptoms. Learning how you can support your own pelvic floor may reduce your risk of developing pelvic floor issues after your baby arrives.
3. Birth Preparation.
During a vaginal birth, your pelvic floor needs adequate tone (aka good strength and movement) to help guide your baby's head through your pelvis. It also needs to be able to relax and lengthen to allow your baby to descend through the birth canal.
A birth preparation pelvic floor assessment provides information about:
Your ability to engage and "lift" your pelvic floor
Pelvic floor endurance and coordination
Capacity to relax and lengthen your pelvic floor
Effectiveness of "pushing" technique for vaginal births
Presence of tight spots or increased muscle tone
Having an understanding of how your pelvic floor is working can help you better prepare for birth.
4. Pelvic Girdle Pain (aka symphysis pubis dysfunction “SPD”).
Pelvic floor tension can be a hidden cause of pain in and around your pelvis, and can contribute to pelvic girdle pain. This is because the pelvic floor muscles connect directly to the bones of your pelvis. When these muscles become too tight, they alter how the hips and pelvis moves, which can lead to pain around the lower back, hips, sacrum and pelvis.
Internal pelvic floor release techniques can be an effective tool in managing your pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. As Osteopaths, we incorporate internal pelvic floor release alongside a whole body approach to treatment.
5. Learn about perineal massage
Perineal massage is a technique that has been shown to help reduce your risk of significant perineal tearing. It can also help you become familiar with how your body and mind respond to stretching sensations in the pelvic area, which can be valuable birth preparation.
During an internal assessment, we can demonstrate different perineal massage techniques, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable with the practice. If your partner is going to perform the massage, they're welcome to attend your appointment to learn the techniques as well.