Pregnancy brings a lot of physical change in a relatively short period of time. As your baby grows, changes in posture, weight distribution, hormones, and pelvic floor function can contribute to new aches, pressure, weakness, or difficulty with everyday movement.
Prenatal physiotherapy at Shift Physiotherapy & Wellness in Edmonton provides personalized support throughout pregnancy. Whether you are experiencing pain, noticing pelvic floor symptoms, wondering how to exercise safely, or simply want to prepare your body for birth, our physiotherapists can help you feel more comfortable and confident as your pregnancy progresses.
What Is Prenatal Physiotherapy?
Prenatal physiotherapy is physiotherapy specifically adapted to the physical changes that happen during pregnancy.
Treatment may focus on your pelvic floor, core, hips, pelvis, back, posture, mobility, and overall movement. Your physiotherapist will assess what is happening in your body and create a plan based on your symptoms, stage of pregnancy, activity level, and goals.
Prenatal physiotherapy can include education, individualized exercise, movement strategies, pelvic floor training, and hands-on treatment when appropriate. Exercise programs are commonly tailored to support the core, back, and pelvic floor while pregnancy-related stretching and mobility work can target areas such as the hips, back, and legs.
Helpful note: You do not need to be experiencing significant pain to benefit from prenatal physiotherapy. Some people come in simply to learn how to stay active, prepare for birth, or better understand their pelvic floor.
What Can Prenatal
Physiotherapy Help
With?
Pregnancy affects everyone differently. Some people experience very few physical symptoms, while others notice discomfort that changes as their pregnancy progresses.
Prenatal physiotherapy may help with:
Pregnancy and childbirth can place increased demands on the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, hips and surrounding tissues.
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Low back pain
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Pelvic girdle pain
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Pubic symphysis pain
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Hip or groin discomfort
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Sacroiliac joint discomfort
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Rib or upper back pain
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Bladder leakage
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Pelvic pressure or heaviness
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Changes in pelvic floor function
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Abdominal weakness or diastasis recti
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Difficulty staying active comfortably
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Pain or difficulty with everyday movements
When Should I Start Prenatal Physiotherapy?
There is no single point in pregnancy when everyone should begin physiotherapy.
You can see a physiotherapist when symptoms first appear, when you want guidance around exercise, or later in pregnancy when your focus shifts toward preparing for labour and delivery.
Some people benefit from checking in earlier so they can learn strategies for managing physical changes before discomfort becomes more disruptive. Others begin physiotherapy in their second or third trimester when back pain, pelvic discomfort, bladder symptoms, or mobility changes become more noticeable.
Your treatment can continue to change along with your pregnancy.
Who Can Benefit
From Prenatal
Physiotherapy?
Prenatal physiotherapy can be helpful whether this is your first
You may want to consider an assessment if:
Reasons people come in
You are experiencing pain
Back, hip, pelvic, pubic or rib discomfort is making movement or daily activities harder.
You are noticing pelvic floor changes
You have bladder leakage, pelvic heaviness, pressure, or other new pelvic floor symptoms.
You want to stay active
You are unsure which exercises are appropriate as your pregnancy progresses.
You want to prepare for birth
You would like guidance on movement, breathing, pelvic floor awareness, birthing positions, or physical preparation for labour.
How Physiotherapy Can Support
You During Pregnancy
Treatment is always individualized, but your prenatal physiotherapy plan may include:
01
Pelvic Floor Support
Your physiotherapist can help you understand how your pelvic floor is functioning and teach appropriate exercises for strength, coordination, relaxation, and control.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also address concerns such as bladder leakage, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, and other changes associated with pregnancy.
02
Core & Strengthening Exercises
Pregnancy changes the way your abdominal muscles and core manage load.
Your physiotherapist can provide exercises designed to support your core, hips, back, and pelvic region while adapting them as your body changes.
03
Pain & Movement Management
Treatment may include exercises, mobility work, manual therapy, posture adjustments, and practical strategies for movements that have become uncomfortable.
Manual therapy techniques used in prenatal physiotherapy may focus on improving mobility and reducing muscular tension around areas such as the lower back, hips and pelvis.
04
Birth Preparation
Later in pregnancy, physiotherapy can also focus on preparing your body for labour.
This may include breathing strategies, pelvic floor awareness, comfortable birthing positions, movement strategies, and education to help you feel more prepared heading into delivery.
Do I Need Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy During Pregnancy?
Not everyone who is pregnant needs pelvic floor physiotherapy, but pregnancy is a good time to become more aware of how your pelvic floor is functioning.
Your pelvic floor supports the bladder, bowel, uterus, and surrounding pelvic region. Changes in pressure and load during pregnancy can affect how these muscles work.
And pelvic floor physiotherapy is not simply about doing Kegels.
Some people need strengthening, while others benefit more from learning how to relax, coordinate, or properly use the pelvic floor. Your physiotherapist can assess your individual needs rather than giving you a one-size-fits-all exercise program.
What to Expect at Shift
Physiotherapy & Wellness
1
Conversation & Assessment
We will start by talking about your pregnancy, current symptoms, activity level, previous injuries or pregnancies, and what you would like help with.
2
Core and Movement Assessment
Your physiotherapist may assess your posture, mobility, strength, breathing, core function, pelvic movement, and other areas related to your symptoms.
3
Personalized Treatment Plan
Your treatment plan will be based on what we find during your assessment. It may include exercises, education, movement strategies, manual therapy, or pelvic floor physiotherapy when appropriate.
4
Ongoing Progression
Your needs may change from trimester to trimester. Treatment can be adjusted throughout pregnancy to help you continue moving comfortably and prepare for what comes next.
Prenatal Physiotherapy in Edmonton
Feel More Supported Throughout Your Pregnancy
You do not have to wait until pregnancy-related discomfort becomes difficult to manage before asking for help.
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Prenatal physiotherapy can give you practical strategies for managing pain, staying active, supporting your pelvic floor, and preparing your body for childbirth.
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At Shift Physiotherapy & Wellness in Edmonton, our physiotherapists provide individualized care based on your body, pregnancy, symptoms, and goals.
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Book your prenatal physiotherapy appointment in Edmonton today.