Pelvic floor physical therapy and postpartum: What to know
After you have a baby, scheduling a postpartum physical therapy session can be one of the best things you do for your mind and body. A pelvic therapist will help you bridge the gap between that 6-week check-up at your OB's office and getting back to living your life, whatever that may look like for you as well as answer any and all of your questions regarding postpartum symptoms and diagnoses.
I know your 6-week check-up is only touching the surface of what you may want help with. So, let's chat about what a treatment plan may look like if you see me for a postpartum physical therapy session.
What is a pelvic floor PT, and how can they help?
A pelvic floor PT, also known as a pelvic floor physical therapist, pelvic therapist, or pelvic health therapist is a physical therapist who specializes in treating the pelvic floor muscles, or your pelvic region.
With that being said, it's important to understand that while we are called "pelvic health therapists", we treat the body as a whole. So, we'll address your pelvic floor muscles for sure, but we also consider how the rest of your body contributes to or is affected by pelvic health. Think: core, low back, your shoulders and hips, SI joints, etc.
We treat the body as a whole because lots of areas have a direct or indirect connection to the pelvic floor and as a human, you function as a whole unit. Isolating the area can be extremely helpful, but integrating it back to your entire body is where the magic lies.
You can learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy here.
How can a postpartum physical therapy session help after birth?
Both pregnancy and childbirth lead to many changes in your body. You can see an extensive guide to pregnancy physical therapy here if you're curious. Let's dive into postpartum.
I often hear women say they leave their 6-week OB check-up with more questions than answers.
They are told they are "cleared" but aren't sure what it means, were told that they have prolapse and can't begin to wrap their head around what to do about it, and typically have symptoms like leaking, pressure, pain, or just a general "unstable" feeling.
Some women are also ready to get back to activities like CrossFit, lifting, running, and more and just aren't sure where to start.
At the heart of it, pelvic floor physical therapy postpartum can help improve your quality of life; you can get all of your questions answered as well as a clear path forward to get you back to where you want to be.
Some of the symptoms, diagnoses, and pelvic floor disorders that postpartum physical therapy can treat:
Urinary incontinence (leaking with laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting, running)
Pelvic organ prolapse of various grades
Weakened pelvic muscles
Fecal incontinence
Pelvic pain
Pain with return to intercourse
C-section scar healing
Return to exercise concerns
Shoulder pain and upper back pain (typically related to feeding positions)
Low back pain
Core instability
Diastatis recti (abdominal separation)
Vaginal delivery concerns
...and more.
Postpartum pelvic floor therapy will help improve your pelvic floor health which ultimately affects the rest of your body and your ability to participate in your life fully.
What does pelvic floor treatment look like if you are postpartum?
Treatment is always based on what we find during your initial evaluation as well as what your goals are. I often hear that new moms or moms who are newly postpartum, regardless of how many other kiddos they have, feel overwhelmed with questions and aren't sure where to start.
That's exactly what we'll determine during your first session. We'll figure out where you're at and then determine exactly what you need based on where you want to be.
And PS: Once you’ve had a baby, you’re always postpartum. Postpartum physical therapy is for those who are newly postpartum or those who had a child or children years ago.
Some of the things we'll focus on in our pelvic PT sessions:
Breathing and coordination of breath and your pelvic floor
Pelvic muscles strengthening and relaxation
Whole-body strengthening exercises and core stability training
Specific education, treatment, and planning around any aches and pains and how to get back to where you want to be and doing what you want to do.
Where to book postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy
If you are local to the Durham area and are looking for a pelvic health provider with expertise in pregnancy and postpartum treatment, I'd love to work with you.
To get started, feel free to book a complimentary discovery call or reach out to schedule with me by filling out the contact form located here.
