Dr Leena Daware Suggests Antenatal Exercises to Improve Physical State

Role of Physiotherapy in Antenatal and Postnatal Care

Antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy has a significant role that caters to every aspect of primary healthcare, caters to all the women’s health and effectively provides the enhanced treatment. With the antenatal and postnatal care provided to the mother during and after childbirth, there are a lot of complications that are avoided.

Role Explained of Physiotherapy in Antenatal and Postnatal Care

The role of physiotherapy is often underestimated, yet they play a crucial part when it comes to the recovery of the muscular and ligamentous tissues after pregnancy. With effective monitoring, assessing, and treating conditions, a pelvic floor physiotherapist has a higher head in pregnancy. With respect to physiotherapy preventing physical and emotional instability, anxiety, and stress, there are improved changes in the mother for a successful pregnancy.

When antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy care is taken under consideration, there is a wide array of approaches that a physiotherapist puts forward. The assessment, thorough evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are all part of the care cycle that encourages enhanced quality of life.

Antenatal Exercises

Antenatal exercises are the ones that aim at improving the physical and psychological well-being of a mother expected. The antenatal exercises as a means of physical therapy play a significant role in preventing pregnancy-induced health issues

Antenatal exercises help to keep good flexibility and strength of pelvic floor muscles, help during labor, prevent chance of diastasis recti and helps in faster recovery after delivery

Advantages with Antenatal Exercises

Antenatal exercises come with a bunch of advantages for the expected mother, and most of the significant health advantages are as follows:

1. Reduced fatigue
2. Reduce cramps, oedema, and other pregnancy-related body issues.
3. Preventing fat gain during pregnancy period.
4. Promotes muscle strength and flexibility.
5. Maintains posture and enhances relaxation.
6. Improves glycemic control.

The major reason to adopt antenatal exercises is that they prepare the expected mother for the physical demands of labour.

Kegel or Pelvic Floor Exercises - Antenatal

Know all about Kegel or Pelvic Floor Exercise

Kegel exercises are the ones that help one strengthen the muscles which enhance bladder, uterus, and bowel support. These exercises help strengthen the pelvic muscles during pregnancy that makes the body gain the ability to control and focus on the preparation of labour and birth.

With the following kegel or pelvic floor exercises taken up during pregnancy tenure, it is also essential to keep up during the postpartum. During postpartum, the kegel exercises promote healing of the perineal tissues and improve pelvic floor muscle strength. This helps muscles get back to their original health state, which improves bladder, uterus, bowel control and support.
Antenatal kegel exercises are the best when done under the supervision of a pelvic floor physiotherapist, as they can help you relax and do sets while noting down your progress and help you be healthy.

Postnatal Exercises

Postnatal exercises are the ones done after childbirth and are continued until the goals are reached. With the postnatal period being critical and usually neglected, the WHO (World Health Organisation) states that the postnatal exercises help keep the mother healthy and fit.

The postnatal period is generally characterised into three phases as follows:

1. Acute phase - Twenty four hours immediately after delivery
2. Sub Accute Phase - Two to Six weeks after delivery.
3. Late Phase - Six weeks to Six Months after delivery

While the last phase may seem like a handful, it is dependent on the significant muscle tone and the recovery of the connective tissue of the mother.

Advantages of the Postnatal Exercises

The postnatal exercises as physical therapy has a combination of specific treatments involved, out of which the pelvic floor exercises are of major highlight. The therapeutic exercises help mothers gain their health back after the postnatal period. Postnatal physiotherapy usually has the following advantages for a mother:

1. Improves mood and cardiorespiratory fitness.
2. Promotes pregnancy weight loss.
3. Reduces the risk associated with postpartum depression and anxiety.
4. Enhances psychological well-being.
5. Improves sexual health and cuts down chances of sexual dysfunction.
6. Leads to a better outlook for improved health and quality of life.

Pelvic Floor Exercises - Postnatal

Postnatal pelvic floor exercises are vital for the postpartum period as they serve pelvic pain, urinary, and bowel incontinence, also sexual dysfunction. With pelvic muscles' exercises the advantage of adding better support and strengthening the supporting muscles, there is also enhanced blood flow, thereby healing the damaged tissues.

The kegel and other exercises that fall under the postnatal exercise routine, help mothers relax their pelvic floor muscles and help them strengthen for improved sexual function. Pelvic floor exercises have the tendency to reduce symptoms of bladder and bowel incontinence.

FAQ's

1. What is the role of physiotherapist in antenatal and postnatal care?

Physiotherapists play a vital role in antenatal and postnatal care by providing education, exercises, and treatment to manage pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions and promote recovery after childbirth.

2. What is antenatal and postnatal exercise?

Antenatal and postnatal exercises are physical activities designed to support a pregnant woman's changing body, prepare for childbirth, and aid in the recovery process after giving birth.

3. What are the best post-pregnancy exercises?

The best post-pregnancy exercises include pelvic floor exercises, abdominal bracing, gentle cardio, and strength training exercises focusing on the core, back, and pelvic muscles. Still, consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program is essential.

Antenatal & Postnatal Physiotherapy