COVID has impacted many of our patients in one way or another. Whilst many people speak of the economic or social implications, here at Yarra Ranges Physiotherapy, our chief concern is the impact on our patient’s health.

The journey from pregnancy to birth is an incredible one but for many, is also a time fraught with worry – for both the Mother and baby. We’re lucky to have a solid healthcare system to support women through this exciting period of their lives, but it’s become more noticeable over the past few months that women haven’t always been getting the access to medical professionals that they’d normally have and need. Restricted movement has undoubtedly had an impact on women being able to feel supported, have their concerns heard and assessed and any pain alleviated. Here at our family practice, we’ve seen an increase in women coming into our clinic having misinterpreted their symptoms, which caused unnecessary alarm over the health of the baby.

Pain in the pubic bone, lower back, pelvis and abdomen or altered sensations in arms or hands can be extremely common in pregnancy and more often than not, have a common explanation. Pain in the pelvis can be as a direct result of increased movement of these joints and ligament laxity as the baby grows, where as pain in the abdomen can be referred pain from the back or ribs as a result of body changing shape to accommodate the baby.

Physiotherapy can help provide you with short- and long-term pain relief pre, during or post pregnancy as well as provide you with safe exercises to help you feel stronger and fitter. We can also help with other common issues such as pelvic floor strengthening, post birth bladder and bowel issues and support for mastitis and blocked milk ducts. You don’t need to feel alone, there’s a whole caring family ready to support you in achieving your optimum health, so you can concentrate on your new baby.