Prenatal

Pregnancy involves gradual physical changes across the pelvis, spine, and abdominal wall as the body adapts to a growing baby. Prenatal care at our clinic provides assessment and support for common discomforts of pregnancy and works alongside the care you receive from your OB or midwife. Services are organized by trimester so that support can be adjusted as your needs change.

Physical changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin increases the flexibility of connective tissue in the pelvis and spine. This is a normal adaptation, and it can also reduce the usual stability of some joints. These changes are associated with several common discomforts, including pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, and a sense of pelvic heaviness that may increase over time. Pelvic girdle pain is common in pregnancy. Physiotherapy can help address these symptoms through assessment and an individualized plan.

Prenatal services

Pregnancies differ, so care is individualized rather than fixed. The following services can be provided during pregnancy and adjusted from trimester to trimester:

• Pregnancy physiotherapy — registered physiotherapists assess posture, movement, and pelvic floor function, and provide exercises and strategies to help reduce pelvic girdle pain and support preparation for labour and delivery. Pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy is associated with reduced postpartum urinary incontinence.
• Prenatal massage — registered massage therapy, positioned appropriately for pregnancy, to help address tension in the hips, low back, and shoulders.
• Chiropractic — pregnancy-adapted care for musculoskeletal discomfort associated with a shifting centre of gravity.
• Nutrition counselling — evidence-informed guidance on questions related to energy, iron, and nutrition during pregnancy.
• Mental health support — a supportive space to discuss the emotional aspects of pregnancy.

Working alongside your OB or midwife

Prenatal care here is designed to work alongside your OB or midwife rather than in place of them. Assessment and treatment are non-invasive and adapted to your trimester, symptoms, and comfort, and proceed only after discussion and your consent. When aspects of your pregnancy call for medical management, we coordinate with your existing care team.