Preparing for Childbirth: How Pelvic Floor PT Can Help You Feel Strong, Confident, and Ready
Bringing a baby into the world is an incredible experience—but it also brings big changes to your body. Whether this is your first pregnancy or you’ve done this before, preparing your pelvic floor and core for labor and delivery can make a huge difference in your experience and recovery.
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we help expecting moms prepare for birth with a personalized, evidence-based approach that focuses on breathwork, movement, body awareness, and education.
Because let’s be honest—this is how healthcare should be: connected, empowering, and designed around you.
What We Do in Prenatal Pelvic Floor PT
Even if you’re not experiencing bladder leaks, pelvic pain, or other common pregnancy symptoms (and we hope you’re not!), pelvic floor PT can still help you feel more in control and reduce the risk of future issues.
Here’s how we help you prepare for labor and delivery:
1. Breathwork & Learning How to Push
Breath is powerful—especially during birth. We teach you how to connect breath with pelvic floor movement so you can push more efficiently, avoid holding unnecessary tension, and reduce strain during delivery. We’ll walk you through:
Diaphragmatic breathing ("flower breath")
How to coordinate your exhale with bearing down
Preventing ineffective or breath-holding pushing strategies that can increase tearing or fatigue
2. Pelvic Floor-Friendly Labor Positions
Did you know there are positions that naturally support your pelvic floor and reduce stress during labor? We’ll educate you (and your partner if desired) on:
Upright and open positions that optimize your pelvis
Alternatives to prolonged lying on your back
Modifications that help if you have an epidural
These positions can promote more space for baby, better muscle coordination, and less pressure on the perineum.
3. Reducing the Risk of Vaginal Tearing
While tearing can’t always be prevented, we’ll help you reduce the likelihood and severity of it through:
Perineal massage instruction (starting around 34–35 weeks)
Breath-coordinated lengthening exercises to improve pelvic floor mobility
Strategies to slow delivery of the baby’s head and reduce perineal strain during crowning
Educating birth partners or doulas on verbal cues that support these efforts
4. Preventing Common Pregnancy and Postpartum Issues
Even in symptom-free pregnancies, targeted exercises can reduce your risk of:
Urinary or bowel leakage
Pelvic organ prolapse
Sexual pain postpartum
Low back, hip, or tailbone pain
Core and diastasis-related challenges
Think of it like injury prevention—but for childbirth and motherhood.
5. Referrals to Trusted Providers for a Full Circle of Care
We believe birth prep is best when it's collaborative. We work closely with a trusted network of:
Doulas
Lactation consultants
Perinatal mental health therapists
OBs and midwives
Chiropractors and massage therapists
We’ll help connect you with the right people to support your physical, emotional, and mental well-being during pregnancy and beyond.
You're Not Just Preparing for a Baby—You're Preparing You
We’re here to help you feel strong, confident, and informed heading into birth. Whether you're hoping for a vaginal delivery, preparing for a C-section, or just want to feel more in tune with your body, pelvic floor PT can be an incredible tool.
📍We’re located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and we’d love to help you prepare in a way that honors your body, your preferences, and your goals. Learn more about our comprehensive approach here.
Want to get started? Use our user friendly online platform to book your prenatal pelvic floor evaluation—or contact us with any questions. We can’t wait to support you through this journey. 💛
