Understanding Pregnancy: Foundational Clinical Considerations for PTs

Description

Limited and inconsistent formal education regarding pregnancy-specific anatomy, physiology, contraindications, and precautions contributes to clinical uncertainty and variability in care delivery among physical therapists. This course establishes a foundational framework for understanding the multisystem physiological and biomechanical adaptations of pregnancy and their implications for physical therapy practice. Participants will examine cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal changes to differentiate typical adaptations from potential signs of pathology. Evidence-based safety considerations, including current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations, are integrated to support clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes the application of safe positioning strategies, exercise and manual therapy modifications, and risk-informed clinical decision-making related to modality selection, modification, or avoidance during pregnancy. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to apply foundational principles to guide clinical reasoning and intervention planning for pregnant patients.

Instructor

Learning Objectives

• Identify pregnancy-related anatomical changes and how they influence patient presentation and physical therapy treatment decision-making.
• Recognize physiological adaptations of pregnancy and their influence on patient presentation and tolerance for physical therapy interventions.
• Identify pregnancy-related contraindications and precautions that influence the selection, modification, or avoidance of physical therapy interventions.
• Select appropriate positioning principles and care adaptations based on pregnancy-related precautions to support patient comfort and safety during physical therapy treatment.

Agenda

All times in Eastern Time.

6:00pm–6:15pm

Chapter 1: Pregnancy-Related Anatomy and Physiology: Foundations for PT Practice

6:15pm–6:30pm

Chapter 2: Contraindications and Precautions in Pregnancy: Positioning and Modalities

6:30pm–6:50pm

Chapter 3: Contraindications and Precautions in Pregnancy: Exercise and Manual Therapy

6:50pm–6:55pm

Break

6:55pm–7:10pm

Question and Answer Session

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