We carry out birth preparation after completed weeks 35-36 of pregnancy, provided there is nothing to contraindicate it.
One of the more important elements is breathing work and learning to release the pelvic floor muscles. The natural defence against pain is muscle tension. Generating tension during a contraction, in turn, produces even more pain, and so the cycle closes. Clenching the pelvic floor muscles for fear of pain during a labour contraction raises the likelihood of perineal injury or of the perineum having to be cut. During the visit we release the pelvic floor muscles manually and teach conscious relaxation.
If you are preparing for a caesarean section, the therapy focuses on learning to mobilise the future scar and on preventing diastasis recti, as well as on re-learning everyday habits with a surgical wound in mind.
Therapy when preparing for a vaginal birth
- breathing work
- pelvic floor training - learning an effective contraction and release
- work on the sacrum and coccyx - evening out tension
- going through what to do during birth and afterwards
- re-learning everyday habits for the postpartum period
- preparing the perineum - perineal massage
- exercises opening and releasing the pelvic girdle
- upright positions and active birth
- techniques for easing labour pain
- preventing pelvic organ prolapse
- preventing diastasis recti
Therapy when preparing for a caesarean section
- learning exercises against clotting
- learning how to get upright after a caesarean
- learning how to cough and sneeze with a fresh wound
- preparing to mobilise the caesarean scar
- education about the early postpartum period
- preventing pelvic organ prolapse
- preventing diastasis recti