5 Important Safety Tips for Physical Therapy During Pregnancy

While pregnancy can be a joyous and exciting time, it can also bring with it physical changes that lead to discomfort, aches and mobility issues that make normal everyday activities more challenging. Physical therapy during pregnancy can be a safe and effective way to manage pain, improve movement and help you prepare your body for labor so you can stay more comfortable throughout the journey. 

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of physical therapy during pregnancy, explain how it can support labor preparation and share five safety tips for including it in your routine. 

While it’s normal to experience some discomfort during pregnancy as your body changes, if you have symptoms that concern you, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ve provided expert prenatal care to thousands of women in the Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Triangle area for decades and we would love to support you during every stage of your pregnancy journey.

Is It Safe to Do Physical Therapy During Pregnancy?

The short answer is yes, for most women.  

Physical therapy is generally considered safe during healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies when provided by a qualified healthcare professional. 

It’s important to work with a physical therapist who specializes in prenatal care, however, because they understand how pregnancy affects your body. They can create a personalized treatment plan with exercises and techniques tailored to each stage of your pregnancy and specific health needs.

We encourage you to discuss your physical therapy plans with your obstetric provider at Chapel Hill OBGYN before you begin treatment, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or an underlying medical condition.

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy During Pregnancy?

Physical therapy provides several benefits during pregnancy, including relief from common pregnancy discomforts such as:

• Back pain
• Hip pain
• Pelvic pain
• Sciatica 
• Neck and shoulder tension 

Other potential benefits of physical therapy during pregnancy may include:

• Improved strength of core, pelvic floor and lower body muscles to support a growing baby and changing body mechanics
• Enhanced balance and stability as your center of gravity shifts
• Help with managing posture changes caused by a growing baby bump
• Increased flexibility and mobility 
• Reduced stress on joints and ligaments
• Greater overall comfort while walking, sleeping, lifting and completing other everyday tasks

Along with other supportive practices, physical therapy during pregnancy may help you have a more positive labor and delivery experience.

How Can Physical Therapy Help with Labor?

Physical therapy can help prepare your body for labor and delivery through targeted exercises that increase your stamina and improve your strength, flexibility and endurance, so you are better equipped to handle the significant physical demands labor places on the body. 

Because the core, hips, legs and pelvic floor muscles play especially important roles during labor and childbirth, your physical therapist will teach you exercises that strengthen these areas. 

For example, pelvic floor muscles:

• Support the baby and pelvic organs
• Stretch and relax for childbirth
• Maintain bladder and bowel control
• Contribute to postpartum recovery

Exercises and techniques your physical therapist may teach you include: 

• Pelvic floor preparation exercises, such as pelvic floor awareness, relaxation and coordination techniques
• Stretching and mobility exercises to improve pelvic flexibility and movement during labor
• Breathing and relaxation techniques, to help you manage labor pain and conserve energy 
• Labor positions and an understanding of body mechanics to help promote comfort, improve confidence during delivery and support the labor process

5 Important Safety Tips for Physical Therapy During Pregnancy

Though physical therapy is generally safe during pregnancy, it’s important to follow a few key safety guidelines. These 5 tips can help protect you and your baby: 

1. Get clearance from your obstetric provider at Chapel Hill OBGYN. 
   • We can determine whether physical therapy is safe for you based on your pregnancy and health status. 
2. Choose a physical therapist with prenatal care experience. 
   • We recommend working with a provider who understands the unique physical changes and needs of pregnant patients.
3. Listen to your body. 
   • Don’t push through pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or other concerning symptoms.
   • Let your physical therapist know immediately if you experience discomfort or unusual symptoms.
4. Stay hydrated and avoid overheating. 
   • Pregnancy increases your body’s fluid requirements, so it’s important to drink water before, during and after physical therapy.
   • Pregnancy can make you more sensitive to heat and prone to overheating, which may pose risks to fetal health.
5. Follow the treatment plan your physical therapist recommends. 
   • Because each pregnancy is different, it’s important to follow your provider’s guidance, which will be personalized based on your specific health status and stage of pregnancy. 

Chapel Hill OBGYN: Personalized Prenatal Care Throughout Every Stage of Your Pregnancy  

Physical therapy during pregnancy, when performed by a qualified practitioner with prenatal care experience, can be a safe and effective way to manage discomfort, improve mobility and prepare your body for labor.

As part of our comprehensive care at Chapel Hill OBGYN, we can provide referrals to pelvic floor and prenatal physical therapy specialists to help alleviate physical discomfort during pregnancy and support a positive labor and delivery experience.

We’ve provided expert prenatal and obstetric care to thousands of women in the Triangle area for decades. We would love to support you through every stage of your pregnancy journey and beyond. We encourage you to contact us today.