Giving birth is a pretty life-altering experience – in more ways than one. Besides the experience of childbirth itself, a woman’s body undergoes a myriad of physical changes that can take six to eight weeks, to several months to recover from. With a newborn to care for, it can be easy to neglect the changes your body will be going through.
Diastasis recti (the partial or complete separation of the abdominal muscles), symphysis pubis dysfunction (discomfort in the pelvic region), and lower back pain are examples of symptoms that can manifest during the postnatal period. However, mums can take steps to prevent or alleviate these pains by including physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic treatments in their postnatal recovery plans.
How do I know what is suitable for me?
This may sound obvious, but consulting your physician or gynecologist is one effective way to decide on the best course of treatment. It also provides additional assurance that the treatments are safe and suitable for you.
Dr Christopher Chong, an ObGyn at Gleneagles Hospital, recommends physiotherapy to help relieve common aches ranging from joint pain to strained ligaments. He emphasises, however, that physiotherapists should avoid movements around the womb when treating pregnant mothers.
“Rubbing or moving the womb too much can result in early labour, the bursting of the water bag and bleeding, especially if the placenta is low lying. In post-delivery cases, one must avoid all areas with wounds.”
Dr Chong also advises on a proper history taking and examination when deciding on the best course of treatment.
“Special considerations such as low-lying placenta, premature labour, cervical incompetence can then be communicated to the therapist, with suitable management instituted. A few of my patients had gone for physiotherapy as I usually advise them on the exercises [recommended], and most can cope.”
Helping with post-pregnancy recovery
For women who are keen to kick start their journey back to pre-pregnancy activity, postnatal physiotherapy may help support this goal. A physiotherapist trained in women’s health issues will introduce their patients to gentle exercises and massages that target specific physical – and emotional – pain points.
“Women’s health physiotherapists are specially trained to understand the incredible changes that women’s bodies go through during pregnancy and in the postnatal period,” says Tamara Gerdis, director and co-founder of physiotherapy practice Physio Down Under.
She adds that factors such as the type of delivery, the size of the newborn, if any assistance was required (such as the use of forceps), and if the patient had experienced perineal tearing or an episiotomy will all influence their recovery journey.
Physiotherapist Joanne Shaw from Edge Healthcare emphasises the importance of staying active during one’s pregnancy.
“A physiotherapist can guide you how to exercise safely during each stage of your pregnancy to help ensure you remain fit and well in preparation for your baby’s arrival. Some women may experience various aches and pain, these may include lower back or neck pain, hip or pelvic girdle pain prior to or following childbirth which we can provide treatment and appropriate advice to support you in your recovery.
They can also guide you on the importance of pelvic floor exercises. Some women may experience pelvic floor dysfunction which may result in leakage, increased frequency in urination and constipation and may require support from a specialist women’s health physiotherapist.”
Here we’ve put together a list of physiotherapists in Singapore who can help with your postnatal recovery. Check out the detailed information below to decide which one is right for you.
