Pittsburgh Pregnancy and Postpartum Support

Prepare for labor, reduce pain and restore confidence in your ability to strengthen your body after birth

Our goal is to promote optimal function during pregnancy and in the postpartum period by reducing pain, encouraging ideal control and function of your pelvic floor, supporting optimal exercise for birth prep as well as recovery, addressing any painful or restricted scarring (vaginal or cesarean), and promoting effective ergonomics for your journey into motherhood, including breastfeeding and carrying your kids.

Common symptoms:

• Wellness/preventative care to prevent tearing during birth, avoid pelvic organ prolapse & diastasis recti
• Prepare for birth and learn how to breathe better during labor and delivery
• Build a strong core, better posture and lower body strength and endurance so that you can feel great during your pregnancy and recover better after baby!
• Heal diastasis recti – whether it’s been a few months or even years
• Get a hold on common pregnancy aches and pains – pubic symphysis dysfunction, SI pain, tailbone pain, pelvic girdle and hip pain, low back pain
• Heal uncomfortable or painful scars following birth (vaginal or cesarean)
• Learn how to prevent pelvic organ prolapse (heaviness or feeling that something is falling out) or get a handle on it after baby!

Treatment techniques that we use to help you get better:

1. Massage for abdominal or perineal scars
2. Assessment of diastasis recti, and kinesiotaping or recommendations for abdominal binders as indicated, as well as home exercise program to promote closure of the abdominal muscles
3. Manual therapy including trigger point release for tightness or tenderness, fascia release of external pelvic area and abdominals/back muscles
4. Review of ergonomics for breastfeeding, carrying kids and lifting at home
5. Behavioral modification for improved bladder and bowel function
6. Exercise instruction for optimal strength and flexibility prior to and following giving birth