Key Roles of Physiotherapy During Labour
1. Pain Relief and Comfort Measures
- Breathing techniques: Controlled breathing to manage contractions.
- Relaxation techniques: Help conserve energy and reduce muscular tension.
- Massage and manual therapy: Reduce back pain and pelvic discomfort during contractions.
2. Promoting Optimal Fetal Positioning
- Use of birthing balls, squatting positions, and pelvic tilts encourages proper alignment of the pelvis and baby.
3. Pelvic Floor Support
- Ensures controlled pushing during the second stage of labour.
- Helps protect the pelvic floor muscles from trauma.
- Relaxation of pelvic floor muscles to ease opening of birth canal.
