"Common" and "Normal" Are Not the Same Thing

Does this sound familiar? You're pregnant. Your back hurts. And when you bring it up in conversation, maybe another mom or even your doctor responds, “That’s just a normal part of pregnancy. It will go away after you have your baby.” What a helpful statement! Don’t you feel empowered!? Wait…maybe not so much. 

For much of modern medical history, it sure feels like we’ve been trained to believe that discomfort during pregnancy is inevitable. Or worse, that suffering through a pregnancy is inherently noble because it somehow proves your unconditional love for your child. In reality, aches and pains are common during pregnancy because the demand on your joints and muscles changes as your baby grows. Low back pain, SI joint pain, and pubic symphysis pain are fairly common as your body adjusts to a forward shifting center of gravity. Likewise, as boobs get bigger, it’s not uncommon to have mid back, shoulder, or neck pain as your upper body works harder to counterbalance that added weight. It’s simple physics. But I think it’s important for expectant parents to hear clearly that just because something is “common” does not make it “normal.” And just because something is “common” doesn’t mean you can’t change it for the better. 

This is where I, a CAPP-OB certified physical therapist, step in and scream from the top of my soapbox…”PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU!” In case you were curious, CAPP-OB stands for Certificate of Achievement in Obstetric Physical Therapy. It’s a certification awarded after completing coursework, hands-on clinical training, and a written case study all with the intention of improving the skills needed to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions commonly seen during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. A bunch of hard-earned letters to say “If you're growing a family…I can help your body do what it needs to do.” There are so many things we PTs can work on to help alleviate common discomforts and empower you to do the things that are meaningful to you, whether that's sleeping more comfortably, being able to safely lift your toddler, running deep into your 3rd trimester, or feeling more like yourself after giving birth. A physical therapist can teach you how to protect your body during pregnancy and prepare you for the transition to the physical challenges of parenting. 

Here’s a revolutionary thought. You don’t actually need to be in pain to benefit from working with an obstetric PT. We generally love preventing issues more than treating them after the fact. So maybe you’re a unicorn who feels no pain but you’re curious if there are ways to better prepare your body for the actual birth process. After all, childbirth is a pretty physically demanding life event, like running a marathon. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training. I’d argue that childbirth should be treated with equal reverence. And there are wonderful ways obstetric PTs can help you prepare for the physical and mental aspects of labor and delivery. Aside from general benefits of exercise on a pregnant body and baby, tools like targeted and safe core exercises, pelvic floor training, and relaxation exercises, can help you tune in to your body, prevent issues like incontinence, and set you up for a smoother postpartum recovery regardless of birth method. 

Bottom line. If you’re hurting…advocate for yourself! And don’t let anyone dismiss what you feel. No matter what people say, even if it’s your own well-meaning mother, your suffering isn’t inevitable. Let’s change that narrative together. Ask a PT how physical therapy can help you!