Occupational Therapy for Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

 
 

Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help people engage in all daily life activities and have training to address physical, emotional, and psychosocial issues that impact function and life participation. Simply put, OTs help people do the things they both want and need to do in daily life. We help people recover physically and psychologically, learn or relearn skills of daily living, and rebuild their lives around their new life circumstances. Becoming a mother impacts every area of a woman's life. Mothers must learn childcare skills to care for their babies while simultaneously re-learning to take care of themselves and transitioning into a brand new role with completely different daily routines.

Working with an OT can be beneficial at any point on your journey in motherhood, but may be especially beneficial during your initial postpartum period and transition into motherhood. In 1:1 occupational therapy, I complete a full evaluation and we work together to create a personalized plan to address any areas of need.

While any woman would benefit from occupational therapy while in the postpartum period, it would be especially beneficial for women with the following conditions:

  • Deliveries with complications or medical interventions such as lengthy challenging labors, forceps/vacuum assisted births, c-sections, grade 3 or 4 perineal tear, NICU stay, or other medical interventions or emergencies for mother and/or baby

  • Pain

  • Postpartum mood changes or disorders 

  • Complex medical histories 

  • Difficult life circumstances, unexpected life events, limited family support or limited social support 

Topics addressed can include, but are not limited to:

  • Navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery

  • Self-care

    • Eating, drinking, proper nutrition 

    • Grooming, showering, hygiene

    • Toileting and peri-care

  • Sleep/Rest

  • Mobility 

    • Getting in/out of bed, up/down from chairs, walking

    • Ergonomics, posture, and positioning: sitting, lying, standing

    • Body mechanics with infant care: lifting, holding, dressing, changing, carrying, transitioning in/out of cribs

  • Pain management (pelvic floor, back, neck, hip, wrist/hand, and chronic pain)

  • C-Section care

  • Emotional health

    • Functioning with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, panic, rage

    • Processing pregnancy, birth, postpartum, loss of or change in identity 

    • Stress management 

    • Sensory system regulation 

  • Infant care

    • Breastfeeding & bottle feeding support 

    • Safe strategies for lifting, holding, dressing, changing, carrying, and transitioning in/out of cribs and other equipment

    • Play for both bonding and development 

    • Infant education 

  • Environment concerns 

    • Ergonomic set-up of caregiving and living spaces 

    • Practical strategies to increase ease of caregiving

  • Health Education 

    • Resources for other maternal health professionals

    • Resources for infant health PT, OT, or speech 

  • Safe return to movement and exercise

  • Return to sex and intimacy 

  • Time management and establishing new routines for mom, baby, and family

  • Home management

  • Social support

  • Return to work 

  • Return to other valued activities before motherhood