"The prenatal and postpartum periods are a time of great change for women physically, emotionally, and hormonally, and musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is common. But you don't have to grit your teeth and bear it," said APTA Media Corps member Jill Boissonnault, PT, PhD, WCS.

Low Back Pain:
According to one study, LBP affects approximately 50% of pregnant women, forcing nearly 30% of those women to stop performing at least one daily activity over the course of their pregnancies. LBP is also reported in 30% to 45% of women in the postpartum period. Depending on a woman's specific needs, treatment by a physical therapist typically focuses on reducing discomfort and maintaining function during pregnancy. This may involve recommendations for sleeping positions, exercises to help postural alignment and body balance, exercises to improve strength, mobility, and flexibility, and bracing for lower back support. Boissonnault stresses that, "patients who are experiencing low back pain that is preventing them from performing normal daily activities during or after pregnancy should seek the expert advice of a physical therapist."

Stress Urinary Incontinence:
While there are different types of urinary incontinence, SUI most commonly affects pregnant and postpartum women. This often underreported and untreated condition is characterized by involuntary leakage of urine upon effort, exertion, or physical activity. A 2009 study found that SUI affects up to 67% of women during pregnancy and as many as 38% of women during the 3 months following delivery.

"Stress urinary incontinence has a severe impact on women emotionally and physically and often impacts women's ability to exercise. This condition can in itself affect women's health across their lifespan," says APTA Member Ruth Maher, PT, DPT, WCS.

To help pregnant and postpartum women regain control over their lives and their bladders, physical therapists design individualized treatment plans, which may include exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles and advice on how to change behaviors that contribute to incontinence. "Many women feel that stress urinary incontinence is inevitable postpartum and is a normal part of aging," said Maher. "I believe this misconception deters women from speaking with their health care providers regarding their incontinence." 

Research has shown that physical therapy has a success rate of more than 80% for individuals with SUI. Additionally, those who engage in physical therapy-led targeted exercise programs for the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy are less likely to report urinary incontinence late in their pregnancy.