Physical Therapy for Labor and Birth Lab

Course Description

Physical Therapy for Labor and Birth Lab(OB-Intra Lab) is conducted 100% in-person and is open to all participants who have taken Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy Webinar or Physical Therapy for Labor and Birth Webinar (coming fall 2025).

The OBI Lab course offers skills that are immediately applicable to clinical practice and include: preparation for childbirth, assessing the pelvis and coccyx, positions for promoting efficient labor, hands-on interventions for dysfunctional labor and labor with orthopedic considerations, and physical and mental coping including hands-on techniques. 

During the lab, participants will work in groups of 2-3. Everyone will participate as both “clinician” and “patient” and receive in the moment feedback and tips from instructors. All participants will participate in comprehensive situational lab scenarios to integrate learned skills. All people can fully participate in this lab, including people of any gender and individuals who are pregnant. 

Upon completion of this lab course, participants will have expanded therapeutic and educational strategies to support the pregnant client in optimizing labor, delivery, and acute postpartum recovery.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this lab, participants will be able to:

Examination / Evaluation

  1. Assess the dimension of the pelvic outlet

  2. Perform an external assessment of the coccyx 

Diagnosis / Prognosis

  1. Distinguish maternal positioning needs based on fetal station and stage of labor 

  2. Differentiate maternal positioning needs based on orthopedic dysfunctions

Intervention

  1. Demonstrate positions and techniques to increase the pelvic outlet and inlet

  2. Demonstrate manual techniques for relieve back labor and perineal discomfort

  3. Describe mental coping techniques including imagery, framing, breath, vocalization and relaxation

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