Leaking after birth, pelvic pressure, pain, or not feeling like your body has recovered? These are common postpartum symptoms—and they’re treatable.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can support both preparing for delivery and recovery afterwards. During pregnancy, learning how to relax and stretch the pelvic floor muscles and manage pressure during daily activities can help the body adapt to these changes. After delivery, physical therapy helps guide recovery of the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and overall movement patterns.
Many women are never told this type of care exists — or are only referred once symptoms become disruptive.
What Women Often Notice During Pregnancy:
Pelvic floor physical therapy commonly helps during pregnancy when you notice things like:
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Back, hip, or pelvic pain
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Pubic symphysis or groin pain
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Tailbone discomfort
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Difficulty rolling in bed, climbing stairs, or getting in/out of a car without pain
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Unsure about safe exercise routines
What Women Often Notice After Delivery:
After birth, women often reach out for help with things like:
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Perineal or C-section scar discomfort
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Back, shoulder or upper back pain
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Abdominal weakness or diastasis concerns
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Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
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Guidance for gradual recovery of pelvic floor and abdominal strength
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Discomfort or uncertainty with returning to exercise
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Worry about making symptoms worse by doing too much or too little
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Lingering symptoms after delivery, even months or years later
Pelvic floor therapy can help you feel stronger, more supported, and confident in your body again.
Not Sure What's Normal After Pregnancy?
If you recognize some of these symptoms but aren't sure whether they’re something to address, a short private quiz can help you better understand what may be going on and possible next steps.
Or schedule a free consultation if you're ready to talk with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Why Postpartum Expectations Often Don't Match Reality
Many women expect to feel back to normal by six weeks postpartum — especially if they’ve been medically cleared. When that doesn’t happen, it can be confusing and discouraging.
In reality, this experience is very common and not a sign that anything has gone wrong. The six-week postpartum visit is designed to screen for medical complications and confirm basic healing - not to assess strength, endurance, movement readiness, or whether your body is prepared to return to full activity.
It’s normal for symptoms to linger and for questions about what’s “normal” to come up well beyond that early check-in. Feeling unlike yourself at this stage doesn’t mean you’ve failed recovery - it usually means your body needs more time, guidance, and support than the standard timeline allows.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps
Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum focuses on helping the body adapt, prepare, and recover, without overwhelm.
Care may include:
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Preparing the pelvic floor for delivery to help reduce risk of tearing and postpartum bladder leaks
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Supporting recovery after birth, including scar care when appropriate
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Helping a tense pelvic floor relax, and a weak one get stronger
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Safe recovery of abdominal strength and core support
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Strategies for caring for baby without straining your neck, shoulders or back
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Helping you heal and safely return to exercise at your own pace
The goal isn’t to rush recovery, but instead to listen to your body and move forward at your own pace with confidence—no rigid programs, endless exercises or one-size-fits-all treatment.
Still Not sure
Where to Start?
Pelvic floor symptoms for new moms are very common, but they’re not "normal". The quiz below can help you better understand what may be happening and what your next step could be.