Course Overview
Pregnancy and Postpartum PT Course
This live two-day continuing education course will teach participants how to appropriately treat and manage common pelvic floor dysfunctions like stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic girdle pain, and diastasis recti. You'll gain confidence in the pelvic floor assessment, and rehabilitation and obstetrical providers (physical therapists, occupational therapists, midwives, chiropractors, etc.) will have a solid framework for rehabilitation, from early therapeutic fundamentals (core and pelvic floor) to running and lifting symptom-free.
This continuing education course will be structured in lectures and labs that will teach you basic pelvic floor internal intra-vaginal techniques in supine and standing, pelvic floor anatomy, common pelvic floor issues in active individuals and planning treatment to get them back to the activities they love!
Schedule
DAY ONE
8:00am - 9:30am
Lecture: Introduction to pelvic floor dysfunction
9:30am - 10:30am
Lab: External pelvic floor assessment
10:30am - 1:00pm
Lab: Pelvic floor internal and standing exams OR alternative assignment
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Lunch
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lecture: Barbell training and the pelvic floor
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lab: Heavy lifting and the pelvic floor
4:00 - 4:30pm
Round robin: review of concepts
DAY TWO
8:00am - 8:45am
Lecture: diastasis recti and issues of the core
8:45 - 9:45am
Lab: assessment & treatment of C-section scars and early diastasis management
9:45 - 10:30 am
Lab: Load and length to strengthen the core in different planes
10:30am - 11:15am
Lecture: Return to gymnastics postpartum
11:15am - 12:30pm
Lecture/lab: pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
12:30 - 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lecture: return to endurance
2:30 - 3:45pm
Lab: endurance and impact
3:45 - 4:15 pm
Round robin
4:15pm - 4:45pm
ICE Certified Specialist practical examination (for those pursuing Cert-Pelvic)
Objectives
- Learn how to treat pelvic floor dysfunctions with resistance training.
- Understand pelvic floor anatomy, physiology, and dysfunctions including: pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, and pain.
- Proficiently perform internal and external pelvic floor exams with a focus on safety, consent, and assessment.
- Develop expertise in assessing and treating pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, including diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies.
- Assess and manage urinary leaking for impact-related activities: jump rope and running.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive core rehab plan, covering foundational movements and multi-plane strengthening to address issues including diastasis recti and c-section scar mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there internal examination and treatment in this course?
There is a 2 hour block of internal examination during the morning of Day 1 (Saturday).
Is internal work required?
Option A: Learn & Practice Internal Assessment Skills
You will receive full CEUs if you:
- Participate in internal lab from 10 AM - 1 PM on Day 1
- Pass the skills check performed throughout this lab
- If you do not plan on using your own vulva for the lab, you MUST bring a person who you can practice these skills with
Option B: Learn about internal assessment, but do not practice
You receive full CEUs if you practice internal assessment & treatment skills under instructor guidance using two different obstetric models but you will NOT be eligible for the ICE Physio Certified: Pelvic certification.
What privacy measures do you use during this course?
We utilize sheets for draping during the internal portion of this course for modesty. In addition, we block off any windows and ensure all doors/points of entry are locked. If the facility has cameras, we tape over the cameras during the internal portion of the course.
What if I am currently menstruating during the course?
That's ok! You are still able to fully participate in this course. We utilize gloves and other sanitary procedures to ensure that this will not be a limiting factor.
What if I am pregnant?
Read the 2021 Position Statement on Internal Physical Therapy Pelvic Examinations & Interventions to determine whether you are comfortable having the exam performed on you.
Additional Information
PREREQUISITES
- None
EDUCATION LEVEL
- Entry-level
