The Ultimate Guide To Physiotherapy For Pregnant And Postpartum Women
We asked our team of experts about how physiotherapy treatments can help new mums recover their strength from pregnancy and giving birth
By Chelsia Tan -
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.
Get common pre- and postnatal conditions treated at this physiotherapy practice specialising in women’s health. If you need help with your postnatal recovery plan, sign up for a thorough postnatal physio check about six to eight weeks post birth for early detection of physical ailments. This includes an assessment for diastasis recti, and checking the pelvic floor through a vaginal examination. An ultrasound may be recommended depending on the results of the examination.
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318 Tanglin Road, Block B Phoenix Park, #01-30, Singapore 247979
This private clinic uses an evidence-based and research-led approach – the team works closely with other medical and health professionals to develop the best course of treatment for their clients. Edge Healthcare provides pre and postnatal physiotherapy, as well as postnatal osteopathy treatments.
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137 Telok Ayer Street, #01-01A, Singapore 068602; 14 Robinson Road, #01-00, Singapore 048545; 583 Orchard Road, #11-01, The Forum, Singapore 238884
Health 2 Mama’s team of physiotherapists, who are also trained in exercise training and massage, specialise in both pre and postnatal services. These include treating pelvic floor rehabilitation, diastasis recti (abdominal separation) and blocked milk ducts.
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101B Telok Ayer Street, #03-01, Singapore 068574. Home services are available too.
This specialist women’s health clinic addresses concerns such as pelvic girdle pain, incontinence and even painful intercourse. Embrace Physiotherapy offers a six-week women’s health physiotherapy appointment, where a specialist will assess your pregnancy experience, past medical history, current symptoms and goals, before developing a personalised postnatal physiotherapy plan.
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410 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427636
Opened in 2008, Urban Rehab Physio is a chain of Singapore-based clinics that aim to provide quality rehabilitation and fitness treatments at affordable prices. Its physiotherapy services for women focus on managing musculoskeletal conditions and discomfort caused by pregnancy, as well as other concerns like blocked milk ducts and diastasis recti.
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Urban Rehab Physio is located at Paragon Medical Centre, Ngee Ann City, Metropolis – more locations listed here.
Led by a multinational team of experienced physiotherapists from Australia, New Zealand and UK, In Touch Physio’s pre and postnatal services include body conditioning, manual therapy, and an exercise programme. Some common conditions they address range from pelvic instability to osteitis pubis (inflammation in the pubic bone area).
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22 Malacca Street, #14-02 RB Capital Building, Singapore 048980
Prenatal, postnatal and menopause treatments are just a few of the women’s health conditions that River Physio specialises in. Patients go in for a one-on-one consultation with a female therapist, who will assess and recommend the best postnatal recovery plan based on individual needs – this may include aerobic exercises, core stability training and pelvic floor training.
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791 Bukit Timah Road, #02-01, Singapore 269764
Get an in-depth look at what is causing discomfort in your pelvic floor region at Physio Focus, which uses a real time ultrasound machine to examine the function of your pelvic muscles. This is combined with other assessment tools to formulate the most effective treatment plan for recovery. Other services include treatment of pre and postnatal back pain, stress incontinence and return-to-fitness exercise programmes.
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583 Orchard Road, #07-01 Forum Office Tower, Singapore 238884
Principal physiotherapist and founder Cuijing Wang has 10 years of experience under her belt, including a six-year tenure with Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Physio Avenue is a home physiotherapy service that treats diastasis recti, incontinence, pelvic girdle pain or back pain in the comfort of your own home. Tele-consultation services are available for new clients, and their therapists are available for treatments seven days a week.
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When it comes to treating pre and postnatal conditions, The Physio Studio offers a holistic approach that comprises kegel exercises with electrical stimulation (for incontinence), manual lymphatic drainage (for water retention) and more. Principal physiotherapist Vernetta Wong, a former physiotherapist from Tan Tock Seng Hospital with 13 years of clinical experience, is a musculoskeletal physiotherapy specialist and certified pilates trainer.
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101 Irrawaddy Road, #10-10 Royal Square Medical Centre, Singapore 329565
Featuring a team of physiotherapists, massage therapists and pilates instructors, UFit’s pre and postnatal recovery services aim to help clients make a safe return to their routine of activity and exercise. Rectus abdominis diastasis (separation of the left and right sides of the outermost abdominal muscle), lower back pain, and muscle tension are some of the conditions they treat.
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UFit is located at Club Street, Holland Village, Orchard Point – more locations listed here.
Not sure if it’s safe to return to your usual fitness routine? At City Osteopathy and Physiotherapy, a physiotherapist specialising in women’s health will conduct a pelvic health assessment to determine if you should engage in rigorous exercises post birth. This also helps determine the ideal postpartum programme that will support your body for the resumption of an active lifestyle.
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80 Robinson Road #17-03, Singapore 068898; 1 Fifth Avenue, #03-02 Guthrie House, Singapore 268802; Sinaran Drive, #06-15 Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 307470