What Does a Labor and Birth Prep Session Look Like with a Pelvic Floor PT?
Everyone’s experience with labor and birth will be different. This is something I can say with confidence!
There are some uncontrollables which is to be expected. But there are also things that we can control: how we choose to move, position selection, apply breath strategies, and more. This is where working with a pelvic floor physical therapist prior to labor can be educational and empowering. Read more below to see what a labor prep session looks like with me.
EDUCATION
The Stages of Labor
Taking some time to learn about the three stages of labor is an important foundation to understand because depending on which stage/phase of labor you are in will also determine what positions could be helpful for you to be in.
Opening the Pelvis to Corresponding Fetal Station
Understanding where the baby is in the pelvis can be more helpful than knowing how dilated you are. Once labor begins, the goal over the next hours/days is to help baby engage and descend into the pelvis. We review how to open the pelvis according to where the baby is in the pelvis. We learn movement and changing positions is ultimately our #1 goal (with or without an epidural).
How to Relax and Lengthen the Pelvic Floor
Most clients have no idea what it means to relax the pelvic floor - that tends to be the norm! We learn about pelvic floor mechanics and how we use breath and positions to find length and expansion of the pelvic floor, which needs to get out of the way during labor and birth. We go over breathing strategies for pushing as well.
Hands-on Application
We go through each position to feel how they influence the pelvis and pelvic floor. This could be with or without your partner. It’s helpful to feel and picture ahead of time.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PELVIC FLOOR FOR BIRTH
Prenatal Perineal Massage
I recommend starting perineal massage around 35-36 weeks especially if you are a first time mom or have a lot of scar tissue from a previous birth. This can be a helpful practice to decrease tissue tension and improve awareness. We don’t have strong evidence that suggests perineal massage prevents tearing, but we know it has no negative effects and clients feel more educated on how to lengthen and expand the area. You can get my free Prep the Perineum Handout Here!
Breathwork
I’ve mentioned how important it is to learn how to use your breath to find expansion in the pelvic floor. I provide several exercises for this to practice throughout your third trimester.
Mobility
Improving your hip and thoracic/ribcage mobility are important in the third trimester to give your body access to more space when labor comes along. We will review a mobility routine to apply to your current fitness regimen that emphasizes these goals.
BUILDING A BIRTH PLAN
Some don’t want to be “that person” with a written birth plan when they arrive to the hospital - but that is not the case at all! I highly recommend bringing a typed up, concise plan simply to avoid any miscommunications. This establishes a clear line of your preferences so that nothing is assumed later on. We review simple statements like “I’d like to push in whatever position I choose” and “I want to breath while a push” so that you can establish that preference beforehand.
Going into labor knowing that there may be stalls, adjustments, potential interventions is realistic - but having the tools to control what you CAN is helpful and empowering. Doing birth prep with a pelvic floor physical therapist provides a different approach to your typical hospital class because we dive into the pelvis, pelvic floor and breath mechanics that are applicable to the labor process.
You can book a labor and birth prep session with me here. If you are not local to Charlotte, I have a Labor and Birth Prep E-book that reviews all the of information in depth so you can prep for birth at home and bring with you to the hospital.
