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A habit of all health care providers should not be simply to listen to their patients, but to truly hear what their patients are telling them (there’s a big difference!).
It is extremely disheartening to a person who is in pain or who is experiencing something they know is not normal to be told that “nothing is wrong” based on medical tests and/or diagnostic imaging.
Expect more from your health care providers! You deserve to be heard.
Most women don’t get a lot of guidance from their healthcare team on how to safely return to the activities they love in the postpartum period. And, while every woman is different, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are ready to start running again:
Surgical deliveries - including c-sections, episiotomies and perineal tears with stitches - take longer to heal.
If you were fairly inactive for the first 6 weeks after you delivered, you likely are not going to be ready to run long distances quite yet (even if you were active during your pregnancy). Consider starting out with an interval program like a couch to 5k.
If you have any signs of abdominal wall or pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) when running, you may need to try something lower impact first (e.g. walking).
What are *some* of the signs of PFD and abdominal dysfunction?? Glad you asked! Pain with intercourse, separated abdominal muscles/decreased abdominal strength, pain in the pelvis, heaviness/pressure in the pelvic area, and urinary/stool urgency or leakage.
Still have questions? Your local pelvic floor physical therapist would be glad to help! Give her or him a call to do a screen and make sure you feel confident getting back into your routine.
Post by Dr. Heather Draper, PT, DPT
#postpartum #running #runner #femaleathlete #womenshealth #moms #newmom #exercise #pelvicfloor #pelvicPT #physicaltherapy #incontinence #urinaryincontinence #SUI #diastasis #diastasisrecti
If you have difficulty/discomfort with pap smears, pelvic exams, and/or tampon use... you very likely would benefit from pelvic physical therapy. If you are not referred to a pelvic PT by your gynecologist, simply call us and make an appointment. In the state of Georgia, a physician's referral is not required for physical therapy. At Provenance Rehabilitation, we work with this condition every single day. Take control and seek help! Improve the quality of your life!
Great video about the importance of postpartum pelvic PT....
Every pregnant and postpartum woman should know how PT can help!
Modern Motherhood: What really happens to your pelvic floor
Everyone knows pregnancy and childbirth change your body, but few moms understand what really happens to their pelvic floor until it happens to them. Some new moms are talking openly about their challenges, hoping to lift the veil of secrecy and shame around pelvic floor issues.An essential component of quality health care is collaboration among all providers involved. Make a point to talk to your providers about all types of treatments you are receiving. Not only should communication among providers be encouraged, but it should be expected for best possible outcomes. Without providers' collaboration, something important may be missed, and optimal outcomes may be delayed or inhibited. Expect more from your health care providers!