LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understanding of the hormonal and postural changes that occur during pregnancy and the impact on the pelvic floor.

2. Understand the common terminology used around pregnancy and birth, history taking and red flags when treating a pregnant patient.

3. You will learn a clinical management framework for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse for the pregnant patient giving you the skills to confidently help these patients.

4. You will learn how to manage common pelvic health complaints of the pregnant patient including, constipation, haemorrhoids and vulvar varicosities.

5. Understand Overactive Pelvic Floor and other tension related pelvic floor issues and how they impact birth outcomes.

6. ​​Understand the indications, precautions, contraindications for pelvic floor examination and treatment for a pregnant person, including consent.

7. Develop confidence in pelvic floor muscle evaluation, including external vulva examination, internal vaginal and cervix palpation and measuring of pelvic floor strength in a pregnant patient.

8. Develop confidence in myofascial release techniques both internal and external to be used to treat pelvic floor dysfunction, create space for the birthing patient and help prepare them for birth

9. Understand the birthing culture in Australia and birthing options available

10. Understand the physiology of birth and its importance in helping improve birth outcomes, along with how osteopaths can support their patients through language and education.

11. Understand induction; the history, risks and benefits based on research along with implications for osteopathic  practice

12. Understand the biomechanics of creating space and the role of an osteopath in helping to improve outcomes through education, active birth positions and manual treatment.

13. Understand the role of the pelvis during the birth process along with different positions a baby may present in and the  impact on delivery outcomes. 

14. Understand the neurophysiology of labour pain, including  what can impact our patient's perception of pain. Gain an understanding on how to educate your patient to work with pain during birth from a biopsychosocial approach. 

15. Understand and gain confidence in best evidence based practice for reducing the risk of perineal tears including perineal massage

16. Develop an understanding of the immediate postpartum period and how to maximise healing and recovery during this period.