We offer a number of options for pregnant women including:
- Individual aquatic physiotherapy for back and pelvic pain during and after pregnancy – these sessions may be directed at decreasing pain and improving function (eg. walking).
Pregnancy releases hormones that act to soften ligaments in preparation for labour. Sometimes this can lead to discomfort and pain. For some women this may mean that they can’t continue with their normal exercise routine and for a few women it may mean a limitation in function (eg. walking, steps and lifting).
Benefits of water during pregnancy
Hydrotherapy and water exercise assist pregnant women by:
- providing a safe, weight reduced environment to safely maintain or improve strength, stability, flexibility and fitness
- assist in the management and prevention of many ante-natal problems.
Specifically, hydrotherapy can help to:
- improve stability and flexibility
- decrease and manage back pain
- improve posture
- enhance circulation
- help control fluid retention, swelling & oedema
- help control blood pressure
- manage back and pelvic pain
- cope with fatigue
- prepare your body for labor
- assist weight management
- improve relaxation, mood and sleep.
Physiotherapists can also assist pregnant women face such as preparing for labor, strategies for pain management, comfortable sleep positions, posture at work, aching legs and even talking about tummy time for bub and early child development. This can be helpful to both first time mums and those with more experience.
Women usually attend the hydrotherapy pool for an individual assessment after their first trimester and can continue thru to their due date (or overdue!). Many women attend once a week with the physio in the early days but often progress to doing their own sessions twice a week as they slow down with other land exercise. Women with specific problems may benefit from continued physio treatment.
Sessions at Aspley hydrotherapy are carried out in two pools: firstly some fitness in a 30-32°C pool followed by strengthening (including core stabilizers), stretching and relaxation in the thermoneutral pool (33-34°C). If required land exercises may also be prescribed by the physiotherapist.