Fall in Love with Your Body’s Strength: Physiotherapy for Labour and Delivery

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, where your body undergoes incredible changes, like a love story between your body and your baby. Your cardiovascular system works double-time, pumping extra blood to nourish both you and your little one. Your kidneys are on overdrive, helping to filter out waste for both of you. Your respiratory rate increases, keeping your body filled with the oxygen you both need. Your pelvis loosens and relaxes, while your abdomen stretches to make room for the baby’s growing space. With all this action, it’s no wonder many moms-to-be feel discomfort, especially in the second and third trimesters.

If you’re feeling the love (and some discomfort) during your pregnancy, know that you’re not alone. A study from the Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics found that 68% of women experience low back pain during their pregnancy. Another study published by Advances in Paediatrics showed that 50% of women report moderate to severe pelvic pain. Thankfully, physiotherapy can help address these aches, correct musculoskeletal discomfort, and prepare your body for the big day—labour and delivery.

Every pregnancy and body is unique, and your labour and delivery experience will be, too. When you visit Meadowlands Physiotherapy, you’ll be in expert hands with Katrina Majetic, our pelvic health physiotherapist, who will take the time to understand your body’s needs. Katrina specializes in helping pregnant women manage discomfort, as well as prepare their bodies for birth. She’ll guide you through personalized treatments, offer relief from discomfort, and teach you key positions and movements to support you during labour, engaging your muscles and preventing injury—giving you confidence and comfort as you approach your delivery.

Embrace the connection between body and baby by trying these Valentine’s Day-inspired poses to stretch and ease your body:

Child’s Pose
This loving stretch helps lengthen your pelvic floor muscles, easing tension in the pelvis and hips. Kneel with your bottom resting on your heels, then gently lean forward, walking your arms out long in front of you. Keep your heart open above your hips as you breathe deeply, or rest your elbows on the ground with your hands supporting your head. Feel free to spread your knees apart for extra room for your growing belly, or sit a little higher if bending forward is uncomfortable.

Deep Squats
This heart-healthy movement helps stretch the pelvic floor and perineum muscles. Start with your legs wider than your hips, then slowly squat down as far as comfortable. Keep your hands pressed together in front of you or rest them on your thighs for support.

Cat/Cow
This flow helps relieve back discomfort and brings balance to your spine. Get on your hands and knees, exhaling as you round your back and tuck your chin toward your chest. Inhale as you gently arch your back downward and look up to the sky, feeling the love between your breath and body.

At Meadowlands Physiotherapy, Katrina Majetic and our team are here to support you in preparing both your body and mind for the beautiful journey of labour and delivery. Let us help you fall in love with how strong and capable your body is during this special time. Contact us today to get started and set the stage for a smoother delivery!