How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Prepare You For Labor And Delivery
Key Takeaways:
Supports Labor Preparation: Pelvic Floor Therapy plays a crucial role in preparing the body for labor and delivery, offering benefits such as enhanced muscle control and core stability.
Addresses Common Pregnancy Challenges: Expectant mothers face various pelvic floor challenges during pregnancy, including urinary incontinence and increased pelvic pressure, which Pelvic Floor Therapy can effectively address.
It’s Never Too Late: Starting Pelvic Floor Therapy in the second trimester is ideal, but benefits can still be gained at any stage of pregnancy, supporting overall comfort and readiness for labor and postpartum recovery.
Preparing for labor and delivery involves more than just packing a hospital bag or choosing a birth plan; it also means preparing your body for the intense physical demands of childbirth. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of that preparation is pelvic floor health. These deep core muscles support the uterus, bladder, and bowels, and play a critical role in how comfortably your body moves through labor and recovers afterward.
Pelvic Floor Therapy offers a proactive, evidence-based approach to strengthening and relaxing these muscles before delivery. By enhancing body awareness, improving muscle coordination, and reducing unnecessary tension, this therapy can make labor more manageable and recovery smoother. In this article, we’ll explore how Pelvic Floor Therapy from Blair Mauri Pelvic Health prepares your body for labor and delivery, what it looks like in practice, and how working with a specialist like Blair Mauri, MS, OTR/L, can help you feel more confident, supported, and empowered heading into birth.
Changes Your Pelvic Floor Undergoes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings remarkable changes to your body, and your pelvic floor is at the center of this transformation. This group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues supports your growing baby while adapting to hormonal shifts, added weight, and shifting posture.
Increased Weight And Pressure: As your baby grows, the weight and pressure on the pelvic floor significantly increase. This can sometimes result in a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area. Pelvic Floor Therapy during this time can strengthen and stabilize these muscles to better handle the added weight.
Hormonal Shifts: Pregnancy hormones such as relaxin play a crucial role in softening ligaments and joints, preparing your body for childbirth. However, this also means the pelvic floor muscles may become more pliable and less supportive, making targeted exercises essential to maintaining strength and functionality in the muscles that matter most.
Changes In Function: As your body prepares for labor and delivery, the pelvic floor works to gradually adjust to its new role. This includes adapting to the ever-shifting center of gravity as your baby grows. Tailored Pelvic Floor Therapy helps ensure these muscles remain resilient and responsive, reducing the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum.
Circulatory Changes: The increased blood flow to the pelvic region during pregnancy contributes to muscle pliability, supporting the pelvic floor's ability to stretch and contract as needed during labor. Pelvic Floor Therapy leverages this natural process, guiding you through safe and effective techniques to improve elasticity and flexibility.
Taking care of your pelvic floor during pregnancy not only prepares your body for labor, but it can help minimize potential delivery issues and postpartum pain. Through guidance and personalized care, Blair Mauri Pelvic Health supports you every step of the way.
Common Pelvic Floor Challenges For Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy brings numerous physical changes, and the pelvic floor is often at the forefront of these transformations. Many expectant mothers experience unique challenges that affect their well-being and daily comfort. While common, these issues are not something you have to accept or endure. They can be addressed with the right support.
Urinary Incontinence
One of the most common issues is urinary incontinence, as pregnancy hormones and the growing uterus put pressure on the bladder. This can lead to leakage when you sneeze, laugh, or move. While it may feel frustrating, know that you’re not alone and there are strategies to alleviate this discomfort. Some may also experience urinary urgency or frequency during their pregnancy.
Lower Back And Pelvic Pain
As your baby grows, the additional weight can change movement patterns and strain the muscles and ligaments in your pelvis. This may result in low back pain, sciatica, pubic symphysis pain, and/or generalized pelvic pain. Pelvic Floor Therapy works to optimize function of these areas, providing the support your body needs to reduce tension and enhance mobility.
Constipation
Constipation is another challenge that can be exacerbated during pregnancy due to hormonal changes slowing down digestive processes. Holistic Pelvic Floor Therapy includes guidance on exercises and lifestyle adjustments to promote healthy bowel habits.
Pelvic Pressure
Finally, many expectant mothers encounter increased pelvic pressure. This can vary in intensity and is generally due to the added weight of the baby pressing down on the pelvic floor. Through personalized therapies, Blair aims to teach you to manage this pressure, enhancing your comfort during pregnancy.
By addressing these challenges through a compassionate and individualized approach, Blair empowers expectant mothers to embrace their body's capabilities, leading to a more positive childbirth experience.
Birth prep
You may not be experiencing any of these symptoms, but want support in optimizing your birth. Blair provides strategies and manual skills for pregnancy clients that work on pelvic mobility to support a vaginal birth, uterine mobility for optimal fetal positioning, and pelvic floor muscle relaxation. She also offers education on perineal massage, push prep to minimize risk of tearing and prolapse, and postpartum planning. Blair also communicates with all birth partners to make personalized recommendations for her clients during labor and pushing.
Birth Education
Blair makes sure that with all of her recommendations, her clients understand the why behind it. Knowing why it’s paramount to relax your pelvic floor during labor will help you to connect to how to do it. Understanding why you may want to try pushing on your side rather than your back will help you and your partner feel empowered in advocating for your needs during birth.
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy And How Does It Help?
Pelvic Floor Therapy is a form of rehabilitative care that focuses on the group of muscles at the base of the pelvis. These muscles play a key role in supporting the bladder, uterus, and bowels, while also contributing to posture, core stability, and control during labor. For pregnant women, targeted therapy can be instrumental in preparing the body for childbirth and promoting a smoother recovery postpartum.
Pelvic Floor Therapy With Blair Mauri
At Blair Mauri Pelvic Health, Pelvic Floor Therapy is a personalized, in-home experience tailored to your needs and goals. Blair works directly with you to improve pelvic mobility, teach effective muscle coordination, and build the kind of body awareness that makes a real difference in labor and delivery. Through gentle, evidence-based care, Blair can help you:
Build Muscle Control: Learn how to intentionally relax and engage your pelvic floor during labor to help reduce tearing and promote more efficient pushing.
Enhance Core Support: Strengthen the deep core and pelvic muscles to minimize discomfort, relieve back and pelvic pain, support baby's positioning in the pelvis, and support your growing baby.
Feel Prepared And Empowered: Understand your body’s natural mechanics and feel confident heading into labor with tools like push coaching and birth positioning strategies.
Whether you’re early in your pregnancy or nearing delivery, Blair’s approach equips you with the knowledge and skills to support your body through every stage. If you’re in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, or Tribeca, reach out to Blair Mauri Pelvic Health to learn how in-home Pelvic Floor Therapy can help you feel more confident and ready for birth.
When To Begin Pelvic Floor Therapy In Pregnancy
Knowing when to start Pelvic Floor Therapy during pregnancy can significantly influence your labor and delivery experience. At Blair Mauri Pelvic Health, Blair understands that every pregnancy is unique, so her personalized approach helps determine the timing that best suits your needs.
Most Women Start In The Second Trimester
Many expecting mothers opt to begin Pelvic Floor Therapy in the second trimester. By this stage, the body starts undergoing significant changes, and you might notice early signs of pelvic discomfort or urinary incontinence. Starting therapy early provides ample time to address these issues, thereby enhancing your body’s resilience as it supports your growing baby.
If you have any pelvic floor symptoms (leakage, urgency, constipation, pain) or a history of pelvic floor symptoms, you may want to begin therapy earlier in the first trimester.
However, it's never too late to start. Whether you're in the early stages of pregnancy or fast approaching your due date, Pelvic Floor Therapy can still offer benefits. By focusing on exercises and techniques that enhance pelvic strength and flexibility, you’ll gain confidence in your body’s ability to support and adapt to labor and delivery. Remember, the goal is to create a nurturing environment that empowers you through education and tailored care. Whenever you decide to begin, rest assured that you’re taking a powerful step towards an easier labor and delivery process.
Relaxation Techniques During Pregnancy And Labor
Preparing for labor isn’t just about physical readiness; it’s also about equipping your mind and nervous system with tools that promote calm, control, and connection to your body. At Blair Mauri Pelvic Health, relaxation techniques are an integral part of Pelvic Floor Therapy, helping expectant mothers feel more grounded as they approach their due date as well as allow the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor to relax during labor and pushing
Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing
This foundational technique involves slowly inhaling through your nose, expanding your ribcage, belly, and pelvic floor , then exhaling gently through your mouth. The goal is to create a full-body breath — not just chest breathing — which promotes oxygen flow, relaxes the pelvic floor, and helps regulate the nervous system during contractions. Practicing this breath daily helps you learn to release tension in your pelvic muscles on the exhale: a valuable skill during labor.
Mindful Visualization
Visualization helps shift focus from fear or discomfort to calm and intention. You might picture your baby moving into an ideal position, imagine the cervix softening and opening, imagine the pelvic floor yielding to baby, or mentally walk through each stage of labor. When paired with rhythmic breathing, visualization activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body stay relaxed and responsive rather than tense or reactive. This is highly beneficial for the progession of labor.
Gentle Movement And Stretching
Incorporating small daily movements like cat-cow stretches, supported squats, and hip circles helps to improve pelvic mobility and circulation. These movements relieve stiffness, open the hips for labor, and prepare your body for different birthing positions. They also pair beautifully with breathwork, reinforcing the connection between movement and release.
Integrating these practices into your prenatal care not only prepares your body for labor — it supports a calmer, more connected birth experience. Blair’s in-home sessions offer a safe space to learn and practice these techniques in real time, tailored to your body and your goals.
Final Thoughts
As you prepare for one of the most transformative events of your life, remember that you don't have to face it alone. Pelvic Floor Therapy can ensure that you are both mentally and physically prepared to face labor, delivery, and beyond. Blair’s evidence-based approach prioritizes your well-being, enabling you to take charge of your health and recovery process. With over 15 years of experience, she is dedicated to offering expert guidance and support on your path to motherhood.
Embrace this journey with confidence, knowing that with each step, you are nurturing not just yourself, but also the new life you are bringing into the world. Your body is resilient and capable, and with the right resources and support, you can fully participate in the moments that matter most. For women living in Tribeca, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, or Cobble Hill, Blair is committed to providing personalized care that acknowledges and honors your individual experience. Reach out to book your free discovery call today!
Read more:
Recovering From Pelvic Floor Pain After Birth With Brooklyn Heights-Based Care
Pelvic Floor Therapy For Weak Abdominal Muscles After Pregnancy In Brooklyn Heights
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Therapy Labor And Delivery
Can Pelvic Floor Therapy make delivery easier?
Yes, Pelvic Floor Therapy can aid in making labor and delivery easier by strengthening and preparing the pelvic muscles. This preparation can potentially reduce labor times, minimize the risk of tearing, and help you manage pain more effectively.
What exercises are included in Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic Floor Therapy may include exercises such as yoga stretches, Pilates, and breathwork. These exercises are tailored to your specific needs to strengthen, relax, and increase awareness of the pelvic floor area.
Is Pelvic Floor Therapy safe during pregnancy?
Yes, Pelvic Floor Therapy is generally safe during pregnancy when conducted by a licensed professional like Blair Mauri. It is designed to support your body through the changes of pregnancy and help you prepare for childbirth safely.
How often should I do pelvic floor exercises?
The frequency of pelvic floor exercises varies depending on individual needs and goals. Typically, these exercises are recommended several times a week, but your therapist will create a personalized plan that is right for you.
Does insurance cover Pelvic Floor Therapy for pregnant women?
Blair Mauri Pelvic Health operates as an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans. While services are not billed directly through insurance, HSA funds are accepted, and superbills can be provided upon request for out-of-network reimbursement. This model allows for longer, more personalized sessions — often leading to faster results with fewer visits compared to traditional in-network care. It’s recommended that you contact your insurance provider directly to explore your out-of-network benefits.
How long does it take to see results from Pelvic Floor Therapy?
The time it takes to see results can differ among individuals. Some may notice improvements within a few weeks, while for others, it may take a couple of months. Consistent participation and adherence to your therapist’s recommendations will enhance the overall benefits.
