Preparing for Birth with Pelvic Floor Therapy

By Dr. Christine Martirez PT, DPT on 10/24/2024

As an expectant parent, preparing for birth is a significant part of the pregnancy journey. A healthy pelvic floor plays a crucial role in the birthing process, making pelvic floor therapy an essential tool for birth preparation. Understanding how the baby moves through the birthing canal and how the pelvic floor muscles coordinate during labor can empower you to have a smoother birth experience. Let’s explore how pelvic floor therapy can assist with birth prep, from education on pushing mechanics to postpartum readiness.

The Anatomy of Birth: Baby’s Journey Through the Pelvic Canal

During labor, the baby moves through three critical stages within the pelvis: the pelvic inlet, the mid pelvis, and the pelvic outlet. Each stage requires the pelvis to shift and open in a specific way to allow the baby’s safe passage through the birth canal.

1. Pelvic Inlet: At the start of labor, the baby’s head descends into the pelvic inlet, the upper part of the pelvic canal. For this to happen effectively, the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments must relax to allow the pelvis to widen.

2. Mid Pelvis: As labor progresses, the baby moves through the midline of the pelvis. At this stage, the baby often rotates as it moves deeper into the canal, requiring a balance of flexibility and coordination in the pelvic floor muscles.

3. Pelvic Outle

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   : Finally, as the baby prepares to exit the birth canal, the pelvic outlet (the lower part of the pelvis) must open. This involves the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to release tension and allow for an optimal pushing phase.

The ability of the pelvic floor to expand effectively at each stage of labor is essential for the baby’s movement through the birth canal. Pelvic floor therapy can support these stages by teaching you how to release tension and coordinate the pelvic muscles during labor.

How Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps with Birth Preparation

Pelvic floor therapy can play a significant role in preparing your body for labor by focusing on muscle coordination, relaxation, and education. Here’s how it can assist you in your birth prep:

1.

Pelvic Floor Coordination and Relaxation

Pelvic floor therapy helps you understand how to relax the pelvic floor muscles when needed during labor. Often, these muscles can become overly tense during pregnancy, leading to difficulty when it’s time to allow the pelvic floor to relax and open during childbirth. A pelvic floor physical therapist will guide you through exercises and techniques to improve pelvic floor coordination, ensuring your muscles can respond properly during labor.

2.

Pushing Mechanics Education

The pushing phase of labor is a crucial moment that requires both timing and proper muscle engagement. Pelvic floor therapists teach expectant parents how to push more effectively by coordinating the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. This involves practicing bearing down without over-straining or holding excessive tension in the pelvic floor, which can help reduce the risk of perineal tearing or pelvic floor injury.

3.

Manual Therapy to Improve Pelvic Flexibility

During pregnancy, many people experience tension in the hips, lower back, and pelvic floor due to postural changes, weight gain, and increased pressure on the pelvic region. Pelvic floor therapists can use manual therapy techniques to help release tension in these areas, improving the overall flexibility of the pelvic joints and muscles. This can enhance your comfort during pregnancy and create more space for the baby to move through the pelvis during labor.

4.

Pelvic Alignment and Mobility

Proper pelvic alignment is key to ensuring the baby can move smoothly through the birth canal. A pelvic floor therapist can assess your body mechanics and alignment, providing exercises to improve pelvic mobility and prevent imbalances that might hinder the labor process. Pelvic tilts, squats, and stretches are often recommended to help keep the pelvis flexible and in an optimal position for childbirth.

5.

Postpartum Preparation

Preparing for birth isn’t just about labor; it’s also about getting ready for postpartum recovery. Pelvic floor therapy can help you understand how childbirth may affect your body and what steps you can take to support your recovery. This includes pelvic floor strengthening exercises that can be performed safely after childbirth, whether you have a vaginal or cesarean delivery.Your therapist may also offer breathing techniques and other practices to support your body's healing after delivery. This will allow you to recover more comfortably and regain strength and function in the postpartum period.

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy for Birth Preparation

Here are some key benefits of incorporating pelvic floor therapy into your birth prep plan:

• Increased awareness and control

  over the pelvic floor muscles, allowing for better relaxation during labor.

• Reduced risk of perineal tears

  by improving muscle flexibility and coordination during pushing.

• Minimized labor complications

  such as prolonged pushing or difficulty descending the baby through the birth canal due to pelvic muscle tightness.

• Improved postpartum recovery

  as you'll have a better understanding of how to strengthen and rehabilitate the pelvic floor after childbirth.

Pelvic floor therapy is a highly effective tool in preparing your body for labor and delivery. By addressing pelvic floor coordination, flexibility, and muscle relaxation, it sets the stage for a smoother birth experience. Whether you’re planning a vaginal birth or preparing for a cesarean, pelvic floor therapy can help you feel confident, informed, and ready for both labor and postpartum recovery.

Looking to get informed guidance for your birth prep? Reach out to us at Pelvic Health Center in Madison, NJ to set up an evaluation and treatment! Feel free to call us at 908-443-9880 or email us at receptionmadison@pelvichealthnj.com.

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