How Physiotherapy Can Help for Pregnancy & Postpartum

Pregnancy and childbirth can be wonderful experiences. But there’s little doubt that they can also place considerable strain on a woman’s body. From back pain and pelvic discomfort to core weakness and posture changes, the physical demands are real. That’s where physiotherapy can help. Specialised physiotherapy before and after birth can support women as their bodies change, promoting a more comfortable pregnancy and a smoother postpartum recovery.

Physiotherapy London: The Benefits During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy:

Pain relief

As your body changes to accommodate your growing baby, it’s common to experience aches and pains in various places. Whether it’s lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), sciatica, or rib and upper back discomfort. Physiotherapy techniques, such as manual therapy, gentle stretches, and strengthening exercises, can significantly help.

Pelvic floor strengthening

We’ve all heard the horror stories of reduced bladder control and even incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum. With physiotherapy, you can strengthen your pelvic floor, supporting both the uterus and bladder. This not only helps to reduce the risk of incontinence. It can also help prepare your body for labour and delivery by improving pelvic control.

Posture and alignment

As your centre of gravity shifts, it can dramatically alter your posture, which ultimately puts strain on your joints and leads to pain. Physiotherapists can provide gentle stretches to help correct these problems.

Safe exercise

Exercising can be hard in pregnancy. There’s the fear of putting too much strain on the body. And also of risking the pregnancy. And yet, exercise is a great way to help you to stay healthy. A physiotherapist can support you with a customised exercise programme devised to help you maintain your fitness levels without risk. At the same time, this can help to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Postpartum:

Pelvic floor rehabilitation

Your body goes through a lot during childbirth, particularly in the pelvic floor region. Physiotherapy can help you to restore strength and control. With exercises and stretches, you can begin to recover from conditions such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and painful intercourse (dyspareunia).

Diastasis recti recovery

Diastasis recti during pregnancy is characterised by a visible bulge or “pooch” that protrudes just above or below your belly button. And it basically means that there has been a separation of the abdominal muscles. In some women, this causes pain. In others, it can lead to poor posture, lower back pain, and even pelvic floor dysfunction. A physiotherapist can provide gentle exercises to safely rebuild core strength and address the problem.

C-section recovery

Caesareans are the only major surgery where you’re expected to simply get up and carry on in the days afterwards. Because of this, it’s often dismissed as a minor intervention. But a c-section is actually fairly major surgery, and you need to look after your body in the aftermath. Physiotherapy can support pain relief and movement, helping mothers regain mobility and confidence.

Postural correction

It’s not just pregnancy that impacts your posture. Baby care can too. All that bending, lifting, and feeding changes how you use your body. A physiotherapist can help to correct feeding-related posture and lifting mechanics. This can prevent long-term back, neck, or shoulder issues.

Physiotherapy is not just for injuries. It's a proactive tool for comfort, recovery, and confidence before and after childbirth. Whether it’s addressing pain, preparing for labour, or regaining strength postpartum, a qualified physiotherapist can be a vital part of your maternity care team. So, if you have concerns, arrange to see a physiotherapist at any stage during or after your pregnancy

If you're pregnant or recovering after birth, don’t wait for discomfort to become overwhelming Get in touch with Ultra Sports Clinic and find out how our professional physiotherapy London team can help.