Antenatal classes Sheffield: Essential physiotherapy for pregnancy

Did you know that two thirds of women who are pregnant suffer from back pain? Or that roughly one fifth complain of pelvic girdle pain (formerly called symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD)? A proportion of women will also have problems postnatally as a result of their tummy muscles separating whilst they are pregnant (a condition known as rectus diastasis). A lot of women will also suffer from urinary incontinence. All of these problems are common during pregnancy but can can be avoided or reduced by some timely women’s health physiotherapy.

I run a monthly one-off hour long antenatal class: ‘Essential physiotherapy for pregnancy‘ on the first Tuesday of each month between 6-7pm at the Hallamshire Physiotherapy Clinic (see below).  The class is designed to give women the advice and information they need to know about how to manage the changes to their bodies during pregnancy and avoid or manage the conditions mentioned above.

I’ll teach you how to:

• avoid back and/or pelvic girdle pain and problems with your tummy muscles;
• improve your posture and why that helps;
• strengthen (and use) your pelvic floor muscles to reduce problems with incontinence and also to support your back; and
• keep fit and/or exercise safely during pregnancy (for those who want to).

We’ll have a go on gym balls for some gentle exercises and look at the best way to do simple things like standing up from sitting or getting in and out of bed.

Groups will be small and informal in a relaxed setting so that people feel free to ask questions. There’ll be written information available for you to take away with you. I will also have some maternity belts and bump bands on sale for anyone who wants to stay behind and have them fitted at the end of the class.

The class will take place on the first Tuesday of every month between 6 and 7pm at the Hallamshire Physiotherapy Clinic, Broomhill (just opposite the Rutland Hotel, next to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the Jessop Wing).  The next class will take place on Tuesday 1st May.  Unlike other antenatal classes, it is a one-off – you don’t need to sign up to a number of classes – and only costs £20.

Please contact me or the Hallamshire Physiotherapy Clinic to book a place or to discuss any queries.