Jan 28 2021 55 mins
Research suggests that up to 50% of women can experience back pain in the first few months following pregnancy which can last between 6 months and a decade! Post partum back pain usually occurs due to pregnancy related changes in the musculoskeletal system that continue after delivery. There are different factors that can contribute to the risk of back pain such as the type of delivery and potential trauma suffered during labour. We have to acknowledge that whilst pregnancy is for the most part a natural process it still has a profound effect on the human body which cannot be underestimated. The effects of pregnancy on the muscles and joints of the back and pelvis vary but a surge in levels of the hormones relaxin, oestrogen, and progesterone results in considerable relaxation of the joints which takes at least 6-8 weeks to return to normal. Given the significant changes that occur during pregnancy it is surprising how little focus is placed on return post pregnancy rehabilitation. If we ever suffer significant trauma then we would always take the appropriate advice before returning to sporting activity yet this is not the case post partum.
In this episode we talk with Dr Alli Cain about post partum rehabilitation and discuss why so little focus is placed on advising women about their musculoskeletal health following birth. As Dr Alli states, the traditional healthcare system provides a better rehab protocol for sprained ankles than mothers after birth! We discuss some of the minimum expectations that that all women should have following pregnancy and some of the key things that should be considered. Ultimately, women should not be expected to pay a lifelong price for a baby’s birth, and with the right advice women do not need to suffer following the birth of their child.
Some of the things you’ll discover…
- The realities of a lack of healthcare for post pregnancy health.
- The realities of the lack of healthcare that is available for post pregnancy health
- Why we need to see post natal health as a recovery from injury like we would with any other trauma
- How there are additional stresses to consider that influence the recovery from pregnancy such as sleep deprivation!
- How labour may last only 24 hours but post partum is for life. Women need the right advice to support this
- How incontinence following birth should NOT be considered a normal result of pregnancy
- Abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti) happens to all women who carry a baby but that it should not be long lasting
- That every women should have a post partum check up at 6 weeks as a minimum.
Highlights
The healthcare system is broken when it comes to post partum healthcare and women should not expect to pay a lifelong price for having children. As a minimum, EVERY women should have a post partum check up that provides a baseline to start their recovery post pregnancy. Key steps in the recovery process include learning how to breath properly and the importance of breathing mechanics as well as learning how to target the traverse abdominals.
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Episode Links:
Dr Alli Website: https://www.anchorhere.ca/new-page-63
Dr Alli Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/drallicain/?ref=page_internal
GrowCo Website: https://learn.growcorehab.com
GrowCo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growco.rehab/