FIRST TRIMESTER
- Hormonal changes — Relaxin
- Mechanical changes —
- Exaggerated lordosis
- Widening/increased mobility of SIJ and pubic symphysis
- Strain of pelvic structures
- Altered gait and increased fall risk
- Kyphosis in the thoracic spine
- Common complaints: LBP
- Hormonal changes — relaxin, progesterone, plasma volume rapidly increases
- Mechanical changes —
- Lordotic curve changes
- Static stability reduced significantly
- Piriformis hypertonicity compresses sciatic nerve
- Compression of IVC
- Shift in center of gravity
- Anterior pelvic tilt
- Common complaints: Sciatica, SPD, Carpal tunnel and RLS
THIRD TRIMESTER
- Hormonal changes — Estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin
- Mechanical changes:
- Gait — step width and stride increases
- Upward displacement of the diaphragm
- Costal angle increases by 50%
- Rib flare
- Weight gain increases stress on SIJ
- Prepping for delivery: webster technique
- Common complaints: Round ligament pain, sacrotuberous ligament tension, sacrum/tailbone, rib pain, diaphragm pain
- Hormonal change:
- Oxytocin
- Ligament laxity
- Sleep deprivation
- Post-partum depression
- Autoimmune
- Mechanical changes
- Differences between vaginal birth and c-section
- Poor posture
- Long periods of neck flexion
- Hypertonicity of the SCM
- Diastasis recti
- Weakened pelvic floor
- Common complaints: neck pain/torticollis, upper back pain, mommy arm/shoulder, elbow pain, LBP