The Childbearing Year

The childbearing year is a wondrous period in any woman’s life.  During this time there are many changes including physical ones.   For instance, one of the most obvious is hormonal change which assists in preparing the body for birth.  Ligaments can become lax to allow the pelvis to expand for the baby’s trip down the birth canal.  This may also bring on back and pelvic pain.  Changes in hormones may also induce headaches and a decrease in the digestive process.    Breasts enlarge adding additional weight to the front of the chest which may trigger neck and upper back pain.  As the baby grows, mother’s ribcage elevates and broadens which can lead to excessive pressure on nerves, difficulty with deeper breathing and discomfort in the neck and upper back.  Edema or swelling in the legs and feet can make gait or movement more challenging.  Varicosities may occur in the legs and vulvar region causing discomfort.  As the baby grows, additional weight is gained by mother, placing additional strain on back, legs and feet.  With the growing fetus, the abdomen enlarges drawing this area forward causing the low back muscles and ligaments to tighten which may lead to low back, buttock and leg soreness.   During the time of delivery, with vaginal birth, there may be injury to the muscles that line the pelvic cavity (also known as the pelvic floor) which may contribute to vaginal and tailbone pain.  It is also common to experience incontinence post-delivery.  Pelvic organ prolapse or dropping may also be a consequence of childbirth.  With Cesarean section delivery often abdominal muscle weakness and painful scar occurs.

This may all sound daunting but the good news is things like keeping fit, eating a well- balanced diet, getting proper rest and keeping stress levels low are helpful in maintaining a healthier pregnancy.  Physical Therapists who are specially trained in working with women in the childbearing phase can also be very helpful in resolving and supporting many of the aforementioned conditions and helping to make mother’s pregnancy a more joyous event.

10/21/11

Urinary Frequency

People who suffer from urinary frequency tend to avoid drinking water in order to decrease their sensation to void.  In doing so however, their urine become concentrated and can actually irritate the lining of the bladder leading to further frequency.  It is important to have adequate water intake in order to keep urine dilute and keep irritation down.  The recommended daily intake should be roughly 1/2 of your body's weight in fluid ounces per day.  Keep in mind that certain fruits and vegetables contain water which can contribute to your daily intake.  Happy drinking!!

10/24/11