High-risk pregnancy affects around 1 in 5 pregnancies and often comes with activity restrictions up to and including bed rest. Survey studies estimated that ~20% of pregnancies will involve activity restrictions and ~95% of maternal healthcare providers prescribe them. Physical and Occupational Therapists are well aware of the negative consequences of reduced activity including reduced cardiopulmonary fitness, increased blood clot risk, psychological impact and financial stress particularly if a patient’s ability to continue paid work is affected. 

This webinar is designed for the PT and OT that have some basic pregnancy care knowledge who want to integrate high-risk pregnant patients into prenatal therapy care but feel unsure how to safely treat this population beyond simple bed rest exercises or putting therapy on hold. 

In this webinar you’ll learn the most common pregnancies complications, the activity restrictions prescribed for these complications, the implications for pregnant patients and their families and what therapists can offer this population including: coping strategies, psychosocial support and problem solving, managing acute pain, creating safe movement and exercise programs and preparation for birth and postpartum.

This class will aim to help participants: 

• Understand the incidence of high-risk pregnancy in the general population and the current professional society recommendations for activity restrictions. 
• Be able to explain the most commonly prescribed activity restrictions and the physical, psychological and financial implications of those restrictions. 
• Be able to design a basic high risk pregnancy intervention plan across physical, coping, support planning and birth/postpartum preparation categories.  
• Have a working understanding of the signs and symptoms of the most common postpartum complications and be able to determine when/if to proceed with therapy intervention.

About your instructor:

Dr. Erin Locati, PT, DPT is a pelvic physical therapist specializing in high-risk pregnancy and early postpartum care including in the hospital setting. Erin is passionate about improving the standard of care for the pregnant/postpartum populations and expanding access to pelvic health services.