Antenatal Physiotherapy in Christchurch
Pregnancy is an extraordinary time where your body is doing something remarkable. From the moment of conception, your body begins adapting to support your growing baby, with changes to your posture, joints, ligaments, and pelvic floor that continue right through to birth.
These changes are natural, but they can sometimes cause pain, discomfort, or uncertainty about what’s safe. At Liberty Pelvic Health, our expert pelvic health physiotherapists are here to support you through every stage of pregnancy, keeping you comfortable, active, and confident as you prepare for birth.
Pregnancy-related pain and discomfort
Pain during pregnancy is common, but it’s not something you simply have to endure. Our physiotherapists can assess and treat a wide range of pregnancy-related conditions, including pain in:
- The sacroiliac joint (back of the pelvis)
- The pubic symphysis (front of the pelvis)
- The lower back
- The mid back
- The wrists
Whether your pain is mild or severe, we’ll carry out a safe and thorough assessment and create an individualised treatment plan for you. Treatment may include soft tissue release, manual therapy, activity modification, and tailored exercises.
We also stock pregnancy-specific support belts for pelvic girdle pain, as well as Tubigrip to support your body after birth.
Exercise during pregnancy
If you have a healthy, normal pregnancy, staying active is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby. Regular exercise during pregnancy can improve energy levels, reduce discomfort, support mental wellbeing, and prepare your body for labour.
That said, there’s often confusion around what type of exercise is safe, and at what intensity. Our team can help you stay active with confidence, and where needed, create an individualised, trimester-appropriate exercise plan tailored to your goals and stage of pregnancy.
Pelvic health during pregnancy
Pregnancy is often the first time we really think about how the bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor work, making it an ideal time to better understand your pelvic health.
A pelvic health check during pregnancy typically includes:
- Pelvic floor assessment
- Bladder and bowel health advice
- Birth preparation guidance in your third trimester
If you have any pelvic health concerns during pregnancy leaking, heaviness, urgency, or discomfort, we recommend booking a pelvic health check with one of our physiotherapists sooner rather than later.
Birth preparation:
There is now strong evidence supporting certain birth preparation techniques, and the results are significant.
Perineal massage:
- Reduces the risk of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears by 64%
- Reduces the likelihood of needing an episiotomy
- Significantly reduces the duration of the second stage of labour
- Significantly reduces perineal pain after birth
- Reduces the risk of anal incontinence by 30%
Pelvic floor muscle training:
- Significantly reduces the duration of the second stage of labour
- Significantly increases the likelihood of an intact perineum after birth
Our expert physiotherapists can guide you through both techniques, helping you prepare your body for birth, reduce the risk of injury, manage pain, and stay active right up until the end of your pregnancy.
Ready to book your antenatal appointment?
You don’t need a referral. Book with one of our Christchurch antenatal physiotherapists today.
Resources:
