A 32-year-old female client at 28 weeks’ gestation complains of backache, especially at night. The nurse midwife teaches which of the following exercises to relieve the discomfort?
Explanation
Answer: C - The nurse midwife may teach pelvic rocking to relieve backache. Pelvic rocking also increases the flexibility of the lumbar spine, which helps prevent prolonged labor. This exercise can be done on hands and knees, lying down, standing or sitting. The client arches her back, lengthening or stretching her spine, for one minute, and then hollows her back. Tailor sitting stretches the perineal muscles without occluding the blood supply to the lower legs. Squatting stretches the perineal muscles; be sure to keep your feet flat on the floor when squatting. Kegel exercises may help strengthen the perineal muscles.
