--- title: Preparing for Labor and Delivery description: Pelvic floor physical therapists can help pregnant patients prepare for labor, delivery and recovery! image: https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Pregnant%20woman%20looking%20at%20ultrasound%20scans%20and%20touching%20her%20belly%20in%20the%20living%20room.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/pregnancy-how-can-i-prepare-for-labor-and-delivery#main-content) [![Glackin\_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.png?width=197&height=52&name=Glackin_Logo.png "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) - [About](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [Approach](https://www.glackinpt.com/approach) - [Rates and Insurance](https://www.glackinpt.com/fees/) - [Products](https://www.glackinpt.com/products) - [Blogs](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog) - [Conditions We Treat](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) - [TMJ Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/tmj) - [Neck Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-neck-pain) - [Shoulder Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain) - [Chest Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-chest-pain) - [Back Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/back-pain) - [Pelvic Floor Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-pelvic-pain) - [Hip Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/hip) - [Knee Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/knee) - [Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/ankle-pain) - [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [FAQs](https://www.glackinpt.com/faq) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/onlineScheduling?w=1081&s=DL) - [Contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) - [back strain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/back-strain), - [sciatica](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/sciatica), - [pelvic floor](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/pelvic-floor), - [urinary incontinence](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/urinary-incontinence), - [constipation](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/constipation), - [pregnancy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/pregnancy) # Preparing for Labor and Delivery ![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Pregnant%20woman%20looking%20at%20ultrasound%20scans%20and%20touching%20her%20belly%20in%20the%20living%20room.jpeg) - September 9, 2021 [Glackin Physiotherapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/glackin-physiotherapy) Does this sound like you? You just found out you are pregnant and already you are wondering about labor and delivery! This is completely normal and smart!                                            ![Pregnant person touching their belly looking at ultrasound](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pregnant-woman-looking-at-ultrasound-scans-and-touching-her-belly-in-the-living-room-1.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=Pregnant-woman-looking-at-ultrasound-scans-and-touching-her-belly-in-the-living-room-1.jpg) It's impossible to completely plan for your delivery as babies do what they want! But [pelvic floor physical therapists](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/your-pelvic-floor-and-you) can help you prepare your body for labor and recovery.   ## Pregnancy and injuries Perhaps you have an old injury that you never quite took care of, do it now! We treat patients who are pregnant all the time! Chronic injuries are prone to flaring during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. The new stress of added weight, the shifting of the pelvis (widening of the pelvic girdle), and the high amounts of the relaxin hormone around weeks 11-13.  New injuries are just as likely for the same reasons. Center of gravity is shifted more in front of you as pregnancy progresses. Which means falls can happen, or even a sprained ankle!  ## Connect with your pelvic floor                                               Being physically active (within reason) will help you labor and recover. Physical therapists can guide you through safe exercises geared towards you and your pregnancy.  Learning how to properly contract the pelvic floor (Kegels!) will help you tune into your pelvic floor during labor. Being able to connect with the pelvic floor can help make your pushes during labor more effective. Your pelvic floor therapist will help you with identifying your pelvic floor and how to contract it.  ## Perineal stretching ![Pregnant person holding their belly](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Close-up-of-a-cute-pregnant-belly-1.jpg?width=358&height=222&name=Close-up-of-a-cute-pregnant-belly-1.jpg) Physical therapists will also help guide you in perineal stretching! Starting around 35 weeks pregnant you are encouraged to stretch the pelvic floor manually. The purpose is certainly to decrease the risk of perineal tears but also to help you tolerate delivery! What?! Perineal stretching when done correctly doesn't exactly feel the most enjoyable. Time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable!  Think of pelvic floor physical therapists as the movement specialists that are specially trained to handle your needs during pregnancy.                                                         ![Pelvic Floor Dysfunction-2](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/Pelvic%20Floor%20Dysfunction-2.png?width=243&name=Pelvic%20Floor%20Dysfunction-2.png) ## Physical therapy for pregnancy in Brookhaven, GA and Atlanta, GA If you have pain related to pregnancy or want to know more about physical therapy and pregnancy [reach out](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) to our office today!  Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20a%20cute%20pregnant%20belly.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/diastasis-recti-whats-that-ridge-on-my-stomach) [pelvic floor](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/pelvic-floor), [diastasis recti](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/diastasis-recti), [pregnancy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/pregnancy) ### [Diastasis Recti](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/diastasis-recti-whats-that-ridge-on-my-stomach) October 18, 2021 You have just had a baby! Congratulations! Or maybe you are still pregnant! What is diastasis recti? 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Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. ### Contact Us! [![Glackin\_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.jpg?width=789&height=201&name=Glackin_Logo.jpg "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) #### Address **Glackin Physiotherapy, LLC** 2697 Apple Valley Rd NE STE B Brookhaven, GA 30319-3150 [(404) 585-8834](tel:+14045858834) [annie@glackinpt.com](mailto:annie@glackinpt.com) #### Hours - Monday: 7:00AM-5:30PM - Tuesday: 8:00AM-8:00PM - Wednesday: 7:00AM-5:30PM - Thursday: 7:00AM-6:30PM - Friday: 7:00AM-5:30PM Contact Us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/glackinpt) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.instagram.com/glackinpt) [Contact Us](mailto:annie@glackinpt.com) Toggle 1. [Contact Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) 2. [Plyometric Rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/the-use-of-plyometrics-in-rehab) 3. [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) 4. 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