Post-Partum Recovery: Improving Function for Mothers

Course Description

The post-partum woman typically presents with many functional impairments that can be treated in a rehabilitation environment.   This webinar will educate the clinician how to properly assess and treat new mothers ensuring all of her needs are addressed from physical impairments to daily life challenges.  Pregnancy associated physiological change and childbirth will be considered to enable understanding of the post-partum patient presentation.

Breast feeding, child care body mechanics, baby wearing and other activities common to new mothers will be reviewed in full detail to facilitate patient education following assessment to reduce injury and pain.  Additional treatment techniques will include scar management for all childbirth types, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence and musculoskeletal pain and weakness.  Support belts and equipment recommendations will be summarized to facilitate ADL function in new mothers.  Finally, therapeutic exercise and progression will be established guaranteeing effective patient care.

Following this webinar course the clinician learner will confidently and successfully care for the post-partum woman.

Methods of instruction include: lecture presentation, multi-media and written material.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Participant will understand the typical physiological changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
• The learned will identify the most important factors associated with childbirth, both vaginal and cesarean delivery, which may impact the post-partum patient presentation.
• Clinician will properly identify common spinal and pelvic alignment impairments of the post-partum female.
• Clinician will understand how to assess diastasis rectus and effectively prescribe therapeutic exercises associated with this presentation.
• Following the webinar the clinician will effectively instruct the post-partum mother in proper body mechanics associated with childcare.
• Learner will verbalize the importance of pelvic floor muscle function and understand the progression of strength development in the post-partum client.
• Clinician will understand treatment options for scar management associated with vaginal and cesarean delivery.
• The learner will be able to properly educate women on return to general wellness and exercise considering post-partum presentation.9
• Participant will identify proper assessment scales to utilize with this patient population to improve effectiveness of documentation and reimbursement.

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Intermediate

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to polling questions asked throughout the webinar.