Holistic preconception planning is an essential step for couples who are considering starting a family. Whether months or years away, there is no better time than now to begin optimizing your well-being to support a healthy conception and pregnancy. Yet, many are not aware there is so much we can do to support your body prior to conception.
While many individuals are aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and medical check-ups during pregnancy, the significance of preconception care is often overlooked. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of a holistic approach to preconception planning with the guidance of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). A DPT can offer valuable expertise in optimizing your physical well-being, addressing any potential concerns, and preparing your body for a healthy and successful pregnancy.
Holistic Preconception Planning & Understanding Your Body:
A Doctor of Physical Therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of your body and its unique needs. Through comprehensive assessments and thorough discussions on your health journey, they can evaluate your overall physical health. They can also identify any existing musculoskeletal or functional issues, and determine potential areas for improvement. By understanding your body’s strengths and weaknesses, you can take proactive measures to enhance your preconception health.
Each client I work with is assessed for foundational strength, body mechanics and areas of concern. This helps us create a specific plan to guide you through laying a strong foundation prior to pregnancy! Additionally, we scope out areas of overuse that need assistance with recovery techniques. Sometimes the answer isn’t actually more exercise – it’s less! That’s where individualizing a routine to your current level of function is so important, as this varies from person to person.
Optimizing Physical Health:
Physical health plays a vital role in preconception planning. A DPT can create a personalized exercise program tailored to your specific needs, focusing on strength, mobility, and cardiovascular fitness. Regular physical activity can help manage weight, improve hormonal balance, enhance fertility, and boost overall well-being. Additionally, a DPT can guide you on proper nourishment and lifestyle choices to support a healthy reproductive system and hormonal function.
Understanding that physical health requires a balance of stressing our muscles to build strength, while also allowing proper time for rest and recovery to rebuild those muscle fibers is imperative. Looking at the full picture of nourishment, movement, stress, environmental toxins and inflammatory factors will help us understand how to optimally support your physical well-being.
Addressing Musculoskeletal Concerns:
Musculoskeletal issues can impact both conception and pregnancy. A DPT can evaluate and address any existing musculoskeletal concerns, such as joint pain, and muscle imbalances. When working together, I provide targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and education on body mechanics to alleviate discomfort, enhance mobility, and optimize your body’s ability to carry an enjoyable pregnancy.
Taking a proactive approach to optimize your musculoskeletal health prior to pregnancy is a step all women should take. If you are currently experiencing back, hip or knee pain – this will only be exacerbated during pregnancy. These common aches and pains do not need to be your normal.
Addressing these concerns now will help you prepare your body’s physical health for supporting a growing baby ahead of time, making pregnancy and postpartum that much more enjoyable.
Additionally, any pelvic health concerns such as pain with sex, discomfort inserting tampons, urinary incontinence or urinary urgency can optimally be addressed prior to conception. Not only will this support your physical well-being now, but also set the stage for supporting your pelvic health during and following pregnancy.
Stress Management and Emotional Well-being:
Preparing for conception involves addressing not only physical health but also emotional well-being. A DPT can help you develop effective stress management strategies, as stress can impact fertility and overall reproductive health. You will be educated on relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices, reduce anxiety, and create a positive mindset.
Integrating these tactics into everyday life through diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness or meditation apps such as Hallow, and creating a movement routine that does not add stress or overwhelm are all methods in which we can support your emotional well-being. This is HUGE with helping you manage the inevitable stressors that life throws at us.
Collaborative Care:
A holistic approach to preconception planning involves collaboration between healthcare professionals. A Doctor of Physical Therapy can work alongside your primary care physician, OB-GYN, fertility specialist and nutritionist. Having such a strong health care team will ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. A DPT is an integral part of your healthcare team, providing valuable insights and assisting in optimizing your overall preconception plan.
Having supported women in this journey for years, I have developed a phenomenal team to lean on when additional care is required to comprehensively support a client’s health. Knowing the resources to reach out to when you need additional support is huge. This means I offer in-person and virtual appointments to meet you anywhere along this preconception timeframe.
Supporting you in motherhood: preconception & beyond
Embarking on the journey to parenthood requires careful preconception planning and a holistic approach to optimize your chances of a healthy pregnancy. A Doctor of Physical Therapy can be a valuable ally in this process, providing expertise in:
- physical health
- addressing musculoskeletal concerns
- supporting emotional well-being
- optimizing stress management
- and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
By taking a proactive approach to preconception planning, you are setting the stage for a healthier and more fulfilling pregnancy experience. Remember, your Doctor of Physical Therapy is there to guide and support you every step of the way.
Seeking 1:1 care during this time? Reach out to Dr. Kayla Borchers, PT, DPT for a FREE discovery call. From there, we’ll determine the best next steps for you!
Schedule a (free) call with Dr. Kayla
Interested in learning more? You can also join Dr. Kayla live or via recording on August 1st at Noon for a Preconception Planning Masterclass!
