This editorial series, Women’s Health, is brought to you by The Iowa Clinic and Des Moines Mom. The Iowa Clinic’s Women’s Center offers coordinated care so you can schedule all your appointments in a single day. All 5 original articles from the Women’s Health series can be found here.
Many women need physical therapy after childbirth. The Iowa Clinic has created a program to treat them in only one or two appointments.
What is the One* & Done Program?
The Iowa Clinic’s One* & Done Postpartum physical therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on helping women recover from childbirth. It can help to improve strength, flexibility, and function in the pelvic floor and other muscles of the body.
Who should participate in the One* & Done Program?
Postpartum woman who have recovered well without obvious dysfunction but desires an assessment of pelvic floor and core strength and function to return to optimal health and wellness.
What does the One & Done Program consist of?
You will have 1 (or 2) PT sessions to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and coordination, posture and core strength and recommend specific HEP via online modules that you can continue with on your own.
The first visit will cover:
-
- Education regarding postpartum changes and how to regain optimal alignment, strength and function including things like optimal sleep, daily exercise and relaxation/stress management activities
- Inner core coordination via diaphragm breathing
- Isolation and strengthening of pelvic floor muscles via Kegels
- Postural alignment and its effect on inner core function
- Assess for DRA
- Instruct in YouTube videos for progression and D/C or recommend another visit or 2 as indicated
If you require a 2nd Visit, it will include:
-
- Re-assessment of posture, inner core coordination and isolation/strength of Kegel or assess resting tone and down-train if over-recruited/painful management activities
- Progress to core strengthening including TA training, bridges, clams
- and spinal twists with coordinating inner core and breath
- More advanced exercises as indicated
More visits may be needed if severely weak or painful.
When should I start postpartum physical therapy?
Anytime postpartum and especially after 4-6 weeks checkup.
Who else can benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
All women can benefit from postpartum physical therapy, regardless of whether they had a vaginal or cesarean delivery. However, postpartum physical therapy is especially important for women who are at risk for pelvic dysfunction due to traumatic births:
- Including grade 3 or 4 perineal lacs
- Assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum
- Quick delivery
- >2 hour 2nd stage/pushing
- Complicated c-section
Other symptoms that require PFPT:
- Pubic symphysis, SI joint or
- Pelvic pain
- C-section scar or abdominal pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse or
- Sensation of heaviness/fullness
- Urinary and/or fecal incontinence
- DRA (rectus abdominus separation)
Your therapist may also teach you strategies for managing postpartum pain and dysfunction at home.
* Most patients only need one session.
The Iowa Clinic understands that women are busy and going to the doctor isn’t always a priority. That’s why they developed the Women’s Center with coordinated care. Their scheduling staff can coordinate your annual exam, mammogram and other testing to be done in one day at one location.
