Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
December 07, 2022 | by: Ken McGee, PT, DPT
Emptying the bladder after giving birth can be difficult. Despite having a full bladder, a person might sit down and just release drops, if that. Sometimes there is a feeling that urine is left over inside the bladder. Some studies suggest that about 10% of vaginal births are affected by bladder voiding dysfunction (Perú Biurrun et al., 2020). Here are some of my top tips as a pelvic floor physical therapist to support voiding after giving birth.
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September 14, 2022 | by: Ken McGee, PT, DPT
As the saying goes, if you don’t know your options then you don’t have options. This is certainly true when it comes to pushing during childbirth in the United States and many other places across the globe. Birthing people are often encouraged to hold their breath and sustain a pushing effort for ten seconds, repeated three times per contraction. However, recent evidence points to the alternative option of breathing during pushing efforts as being better protective of the pelvic floor. Childbirth educators can support pregnant families by informing them of the benefits of breathing during pushing. This is another post in the The Body in Birth Series.
January 20, 2021 | by: Katie McGee, PT, DPT
Tearing during childbirth is one of the most common concerns of pregnant people. While over 90% people birthing through their vaginas for the first time do develop some tearing, most tears are not serious and heal on their own or with a few stitches (Smith et al., 2013).
But what about those more significant tears? It is true that large tears do happen. Fortunately, research has shown us that there are ways to reduce the risk of tearing during a vaginal birth. Some of these ways of preventing tears can be done before childbirth, while others are done during childbirth.
October 08, 2020 | by: Katie McGee, PT, DPT
Childbirth educators serve a unique role in helping pregnant people understand their bodies and the physical challenges of growing a baby. Unfortunately, one common challenge is joint pain. In particular, pelvic joint pain affects 16 to 25% of pregnancies, with onset anywhere from the first to third trimester (Kanakaris, 2011). This article will give you answers to the seven most common questions childbirth educators get about pain in the pubic symphysis—the joint at the very front of the pelvis that expands as pregnancy progresses.
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