Pre and Post Partum Physiotherapy
The Benefits of Pre and Postnatal Physiotherapy: What You Need to Know
Pregnancy and childbirth bring about incredible changes to a persons body, which can lead to various physical challenges. Pre and postnatal physiotherapy offers targeted support to address these challenges, promoting a healthier pregnancy and smoother recovery.
What is Pre and Postnatal Physiotherapy?
Pre-natal Physiotherapy: Pre-natal physiotherapy focuses on preparing the body for the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. Key elements include:
Managing Pain and Discomfort: Physiotherapists can help relieve common pregnancy-related issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica through targeted exercises and manual therapy.
Exercise and adaptations: As the body changes throughout each trimester, Physiotherapists provide exercises to improve movement tolerances and strengthen muscles.
Pelvic Floor Education: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles helps support the growing uterus and can prevent or manage issues such as urinary incontinence.
Preparing for Labour: Physiotherapists offer strategies and exercises to prepare the body for labor, potentially making the process smoother and less painful.
Post-natal Physiotherapy: Post-natal physiotherapy focuses on recovery after childbirth, helping new mothers regain strength and function. Key benefits include:
Recovery from Childbirth: Physiotherapists assist with recovery from vaginal or cesarean deliveries, addressing issues like perineal pain, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Rebuilding Strength and Fitness: They design exercise programs to help rebuild strength, whilst considering post-partum recovery needs (e.g sleep, nutrition).
Managing Postnatal Pain: Relief from common postnatal issues such as back pain or pelvic discomfort, helping parents to adapt to the physical demands of caring for a newborn.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: They provide exercises to restore pelvic floor function, addressing issues such as urinary incontinence or prolapse that may arise after childbirth.
How ACC MBI Cover Supports Your Physiotherapy Needs:
In New Zealand, ACC provides support for injury-related healthcare costs through various covers. Since October 2022 this now includes Maternal Birth Injury (MBI) cover. Here’s how it works:
What is ACC MBI Cover? ACC MBI cover is designed to assist with the costs of medical treatment related to injuries, including those arising from pregnancy and childbirth. This includes pre and postnatal physiotherapy.
How to Access ACC MBI Cover: To access ACC MBI cover for pre and postnatal physiotherapy, you’ll need to have an injury claim accepted by ACC. A physiotherapist can help you with the paperwork and guide you through the process.
