Pregnancy & Postpartum Recovery

Pelvic floor physical therapy for changes during pregnancy

and the months after birth.

Pregnancy and postpartum recovery place significant demands on the body—especially the pelvic floor and core. Research consistently shows that childbirth is one of the strongest risk factors for pelvic floor problems later on—including bladder leaks, pelvic pain, and prolapse.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is effective not only for recovery after delivery, but also for preparing the pelvic floor ahead of time. Learning how to relax and stretch these muscles, and how to manage pressure during pregnancy and delivery, can help reduce the risk of more significant problems afterward.

Many women are never told this care even 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:

Bladder leaks or increased urinary urgency
Back, hip, or pelvic pain
Pubic symphysis or groin pain
Tailbone discomfort

Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
Difficulty rolling in bed, climbing stairs, or getting in/out of a car without pain
Unsure about safe exercise routines

What women often notice after delivery:

After birth, women often reach out for help with things like:

Perineal or C-section scar discomfort
Pain with sex
Back, shoulder or upper back pain
Abdominal weakness or diastasis concerns
Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
Guidance for gradual recovery of pelvic floor and abdominal strength

Feeling unsure about or having discomfort with returning to exercise
Worry about making symptoms worse by doing too much, or too little
Lingering symptoms after delivery, even months or years later

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:

Learning how to prepare the pelvic floor for delivery, to help reduce risk of tearing
Supporting recovery after birth, including scar care when appropriate
Helping a tense pelvic floor relax, and a weak one get stronger
Safe recovery of abdominal strength and tone
Smart tips for caring for baby without straining your neck, shoulders or back
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.

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.

Pregnancy and postpartum recovery aren't about rushing or "bouncing back"

It's about understanding how your body is changing and learning how to move, exercise, and heal in ways that fits your life at each stage.

Pelvic floor physical therapy commonly helps during pregnancy:

Prepping your pelvic floor for the rigors of delivery
Bladder leaks or increased urgency
Back, hip, or pelvic pain

Pubic symphysis or groin pain
Tailbone discomfort
Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
Establishing safe exercise routines

Pelvic floor physical therapy commonly helps after delivery:

Gradual recovery of pelvic floor and abdominal strength
Pain or sensitivity around perineal or C-section scars
Pain with sex
Back, shoulder or upper back pain
Abdominal weakness or concerns about diastasis

Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
Feeling unsure about or having discomfort with returning to exercise
Worry about making symptoms worse by doing too much, or too little
Lingering symptoms after delivery, even months or years later

Not sure where to start?

If you're not sure where to start, a short quiz can help identify common pelvic floor patterns and suggest next steps.

Take the Pelvic Floor Quiz

Or if you already feel ready to talk with a pelvic floor physical therapist, you can schedule a visit directly.

Pregnancy and postpartum recovery are not linear processes. Understanding how your body is adapting — and how to support it — can bring clarity and confidence during a season that often feels uncertain.