The Bridge from Prenatal to Postpartum Health
The Bridge from Prenatal to Postpartum Health: Embracing Continuity of Care
Written by Lindsey Tasker Cole | April 30th, 2024
As a woman embarks on the journey from conception to motherhood, her body and soul undergo some of life’s most profound changes.
As you embark on this transformation, your body undergoes changes that may leave you feeling like a stranger in your own skin. It's natural to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainties and physical shifts that accompany this
journey.
If you're struggling with the desire for control amidst the unpredictability of pregnancy or postpartum recovery, know that you're not alone. 💕
Understanding how your pelvic girdle functions before having a baby can help women feel in control and more empowered going into labour and delivery. The pelvic girdle has a ‘floor’ and its function is crucial for bowel and bladder control, sexual function, as well as support and stability. After childbirth these muscles (the floor) can be injured, weakened, or be the opposite of having too much tension. This in turn can cause problems throughout the rest of our inner unit, and overall function.
Most often the pelvic floor isn’t the topic of discussion unless there is something wrong, or a problem arises. Getting ahead of this is very helpful for when baby is here, and having the tools you need, when you need them.
A pelvic floor physio can assess and treat the structures of your pelvic girdle and pelvic floor and make sure full function is restored. Reviewing your birth experience is vital in understanding why things are, as they are after delivery. Usually between 5-6 weeks postpartum is when seeing a pelvic floor physio is appropriate. This can make the early postpartum adjustment a little bit easier to navigate, when you know how to manage your symptoms and recovery.
Maybe you think about your pelvic floor and childbirth at some point, but it’s not the main focus prior to baby. Whether you’re planning on seeing a pelvic floor physio before or after childbirth, it’s never too late to seek help for any concerns you may have.
As our clients navigate from conception through pregnancy, labour, delivery, and into the postpartum period, we want a consistent team at their side. 👯♀️
Each visit builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive picture of health that adapts and grows with them.
It is not uncommon for crucial concerns to be overlooked as women move from one phase of care to another.
Here, every voice matters, and through our collaborative healthcare approach, that voice can resonate with the strength it deserves.
Our doors are open, bridging the gap from prenatal to postpartum care, offering a continuum that supports not just the women we serve but the foundation of support for their families too.
Yours in health,
Lindsey Tasker Cole
Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, GROWCO Ambassador