Obstetric Physiotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Physiological Changes in Pregnancy

Examines cardiovascular, hormonal, and musculoskeletal adaptations across trimesters. Links systemic changes to common musculoskeletal complaints treated in practice.

Lesson 2 • Scope of Practice and Professional Boundaries

Defines the physiotherapist's role within obstetric care and clarifies referral pathways. Ensures safe, ethical practice aligned with professional standards.

Lesson 3 • Female Pelvic Anatomy Review

Covers bony pelvis, pelvic floor musculature, and ligamentous structures relevant to pregnancy. Provides the anatomical baseline for all subsequent clinical assessment.

Lesson 1 • Objective Physical Examination Techniques

Covers safe palpation, postural analysis, and movement screening adapted for each trimester. Connects examination findings to differential diagnosis generation.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis

Applies hypothetico-deductive reasoning to obstetric musculoskeletal presentations. Students distinguish physiotherapy-appropriate conditions from those requiring medical referral.

Lesson 3 • Pelvic Floor Assessment Methods

Introduces internal and external pelvic floor evaluation techniques and outcome measures. Establishes competency in grading muscle function and identifying dysfunction.

Lesson 1 • Manual Therapy for Pelvic and Lumbar Pain

Teaches safe joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, and myofascial release for pregnant patients. Emphasizes position modifications and contraindication screening.

Lesson 2 • Therapeutic Exercise Prescription

Covers stabilization, strengthening, and flexibility exercises tailored to trimester and pain level. Progresses from basic motor control to functional load-bearing activities.

Lesson 3 • Patient Education and Self-Management

Develops skills to deliver activity modification advice, ergonomic guidance, and pain coping strategies. Empowers patients to manage symptoms between clinical sessions.

Lesson 4 • Orthotic and Supportive Devices

Reviews pelvic belts, lumbar supports, and assistive devices used in obstetric physiotherapy. Students fit and educate patients on correct device use and duration.

Lesson 1 • Bladder and Bowel Retraining

Covers bladder retraining schedules, urge suppression techniques, and bowel management strategies. Integrates behavioral interventions with pelvic floor muscle training.

Lesson 2 • Birth Preparation and Perineal Care

Prepares patients for labor through perineal massage, pushing technique education, and relaxation training. Reduces perineal trauma risk and improves birth outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Programs

Teaches evidence-based pelvic floor muscle training protocols, including dosage and progression. Covers correct technique instruction and common errors to correct.

Lesson 1 • Cardiovascular Exercise in Pregnancy

Covers aerobic exercise modalities, intensity monitoring, and trimester-specific modifications. Addresses supine position avoidance and thermoregulation principles.

Lesson 2 • Exercise Guidelines and Safety Screening

Reviews current antenatal exercise guidelines and pre-participation screening tools. Establishes safe exercise boundaries for healthy and complicated pregnancies.

Lesson 3 • Group Antenatal Exercise Classes

Develops skills to design and lead safe group exercise sessions for pregnant participants. Covers class structure, participant screening, and emergency response protocols.

Lesson 4 • Resistance and Strength Training

Teaches safe resistance training principles, load selection, and Valsalva avoidance in pregnancy. Progresses from foundational strength to functional movement patterns.

Lesson 1 • Assisted Delivery and Physiotherapy Considerations

Addresses physiotherapy implications of instrumental delivery, cesarean section, and episiotomy. Prepares students to adapt postpartum care based on delivery mode.

Lesson 2 • Non-Pharmacological Pain Management

Covers hydrotherapy, TENS, massage, and breathing techniques for labor pain relief. Teaches evidence-based application and patient preference integration.

Lesson 3 • Labor Positioning and Mobility

Teaches upright, lateral, and all-fours positions to optimize fetal descent and maternal comfort. Covers mobility aids and position transitions during active labor.

Lesson 1 • Return to Exercise and Sport

Applies evidence-based timelines and readiness criteria for returning to exercise and sport postpartum. Covers high-impact activity, running, and strength training reintroduction.

Lesson 2 • Immediate Postnatal Assessment

Covers early postpartum assessment within the first 24 to 72 hours, including wound and pelvic floor screening. Identifies complications requiring urgent referral.

Lesson 3 • Postnatal Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Addresses postnatal incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic pain through structured pelvic floor rehabilitation. Adapts programs for vaginal and cesarean delivery recovery.

Lesson 4 • Breastfeeding Posture and Musculoskeletal Care

Addresses postural strain from breastfeeding and infant care tasks and provides corrective strategies. Integrates ergonomic advice with therapeutic exercise for sustained recovery.

Lesson 1 • Outcome Measurement and Clinical Audit

Introduces validated outcome measures for obstetric physiotherapy and methods for clinical audit. Enables evidence-based service evaluation and quality improvement.

Lesson 2 • Neurological Conditions in the Perinatal Period

Covers carpal tunnel syndrome, meralgia paresthetica, and obstetric brachial plexus injury management. Applies neurological rehabilitation principles within the obstetric context.

Lesson 3 • Obstetric Complications Affecting Physiotherapy

Reviews placenta previa, preeclampsia, and preterm labor and their physiotherapy implications. Establishes safe practice boundaries for medically complex pregnancies.

Lesson 4 • Perinatal Mental Health and Physiotherapy

Identifies perinatal depression, anxiety, and birth trauma and their impact on physiotherapy engagement. Teaches screening, communication strategies, and appropriate referral pathways.