The "childbearing year" begins at the time of conception. This is the start of hormonal changes in a woman's body. The "year" ends sometime after the child stops nursing, when the woman's hormonal levels return to the pre-pregnancy state.

Even in the first trimester, as the body prepares to grow and stretch to accommodate the growing child, hormonal effects on the joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons can cause aches and pains, especially if there already are postural stresses from repetitive activities or prolonged positions, or sometimes because of a previously existing weakness or injury.

As the pregnancy progresses, the normal changes in posture, weight, center of gravity and for some women, activity level, can lead to the onset of spinal or sacroiliac pain, or other joint problems.

Physical Therapists are experts in musculoskeletal dysfunction, and have many techniques to identify and alleviate these problems. We can teach the individual patient how to manage the situation through the remainder of the pregnancy and beyond, to be able to care for the baby after the birth.