Outlines an approach to healing pelvic pain in pregnant and postpartum women, featuring illustrated exercise recommendations and organizing information into two parts respectively dedicated to women and their caregivers. Original Foreword x Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1(1) Research on This Approach 2(1) Anna's Story 2(1) How to Use This Book 3(3) Part I: For the Patient: The Basics about Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain What Is Pelvic Instability? 6(5) Who Experiences Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain? 9(1) How Pelvic Pain Can Affect Your Life 10(1) How Do You Recognize Pelvic Dysfunction? 11(5) Characteristics of Pelvic Dysfunction 12(1) Test Yourself 13(3) What Causes Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain? A Closer Look 16(5) Hormones During Pregnancy 17(1) The Pelvis Out of Balance 17(3) Pain in the Pubic Bone 20(1) Pain in the Tailbone 20(1) Anxiety and Pain: A Vicious Cycle 21(6) Insight from a Social Worker 23(2) Breaking the Cycle 25(2) Part II: Relieving Pelvic Pain Through Exercise Exercises to Bring Your Pelvis under Control 27(9) Personalizing the Exercises 29(1) Symmetry Exercise 30(3) Stabilization Exercise 33(3) At-Home Exercises 36(14) Exercise Program 37(9) Additional Symmetry Exercises 46(4) Part III: Daily Activities Listen to Your Body 50(4) Finding Self-Help Techniques That Work for You 51(1) Basic Rules 52(2) Sitting, Standing, and Lying Down 54(7) Sitting 55(3) Standing 58(2) Lying Down 60(1) Pointers for Everyday Activities 61(17) Performing Daily Activities 62(8) Taking Care of Your Child 70(5) Tips and Reminders 75(3) Part IV: Pregnancy and Beyond Labor and Delivery 78(4) Preparing for Delivery 79(2) During Labor 81(1) What Happens Next? Following Up on Patient Stories 82(6) Women Who Received Treatment During Pregnancy 83(1) Women Who Received Treatment after Delivery 84(4) Part V: Scientific Research and Clinical Information for Therapists Analysis of Research Findings. 88(10) Terminology 89(1) Methodology 90(1) Pilot Study A (Sample Size: n = 140) 91(3) Pilot Study B (Sample Size: n = 130) 94(4) Risk Factors 98(11) Pregnancy 98(2) Injuries and Other Orthopedic Conditions 100(1) Joint Compression: Stability 100(2) Delivery 102(1) Asymmetry in the Pelvis 103(1) Stability in the Pelvis 104(5) The First Consultation 109(9) Case History 110(3) Examination 113(1) Functional Passive Examination of Hip/SI Joints 114(2) Physiotherapy Diagnosis 116(2) Therapy 118(9) Treatment 120(3) Compression of the SI Joints 123(4) After Pregnancy 127(4) Delivery 127(1) Fitness Advice 128(2) Prognosis 130(1) References 131(6) Resources 137(1) How to Test Yourself 138(3) Index 141