Calgary Baby Guide 2022-2023

Here are our top 5 strategies when preparing for birth:
1. Movement
Being pregnant poses challenges to your
entire body. Pelvic health physiotherapists
can help how your body feels as it adapts
to your growing baby. Improving flexibility
at the back and inside of your legs such as
the hamstrings, adductors, and calf
muscles, lets you do things like squat,
which is not only helpful in labour but also
for picking up toys later! Improving pelvis
symmetry with prescribed exercises is also
useful to reduce back and SI joint pain
which is common during pregnancy.
When a woman is in labour, we like to
encourage movements that allow for hip
external rotation. She may use this external
rotation of her hips while in hands and
knees position (which also helps turn a
baby) or while sitting on a therapy ball.
During a vaginal delivery, hip internal
rotation is particularly useful to open the
pelvis. Side-lie position with the top leg
supported by a partner with the heel up
and knee down has also shown to help
reduce the severity of perineal tears. 1
2. Confidence
Having a sense of control leads to
decreased fear. We build confidence in
what your body can accomplish during
pregnancy and birth. Practicing what you
learn reassures you in your abilities.
Sometimes just a few words of encouragement
can make a world of difference when
it comes to facing the anxiety of becoming
a mother. We have the benefit of learning
from current research and collaborating
with other maternity professionals to
provide you with concrete expectations
and plans of care. Education along
with manual therapy and exercises are
cornerstones of a pelvic health
physiotherapist’s perinatal care.
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2022/2023 Edition • 23