Complete Guide to Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy and postpartum bring incredible changes to your body, and pelvic floor physiotherapy can be a game-changer in making this journey smoother, healthier, and more comfortable. Whether you’re planning for a baby, experiencing pregnancy symptoms, or recovering postpartum, our guide will show you how pelvic floor physiotherapy supports you every step of the way.
What is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on assessing, treating, and strengthening your body including the pelvic floor muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles play a vital role in controlling bladder and bowel function, stabilizing your pelvis, and supporting your body during pregnancy and childbirth.
At Ova, we specialize in empowering women to feel strong and confident during pregnancy and recovery. Here’s how we help, stage by stage.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Helps During Pregnancy
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13): Laying the Foundation
As your body begins to adjust to pregnancy, you may notice changes like pelvic pressure, back pain, or increased urinary frequency.
Common Issues We Address:
Low back pain or sacroiliac (SI) joint discomfort.
Pelvic pressure or discomfort.
Early signs of urinary incontinence.
Our Approach:
Comprehensive Assessment: We assess your posture, movement patterns and your pelvic floor muscles to identify weaknesses, overactivity and compensatory patterns early on.
Postural Support: Pregnancy alters your posture, which can strain your pelvic floor and spine. We teach strategies to maintain proper alignment.
Breathing Techniques: We focus on diaphragmatic breathing to reduce tension in your core and pelvic floor.
Gentle Exercises: Learn safe movements based on your baseline activity level to support your body as it adapts to pregnancy and to improve coordination and control.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14–27): Managing Changes and Growing Comfortably
Your baby’s growth brings new challenges, such as pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, or bladder leakage.
Common Issues We Address:
Pelvic girdle pain or Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (SPD).
Sciatica or leg pain.
Stress incontinence or urinary leakage.
Constipation is caused by hormonal changes.
Our Approach:
Pain Relief: Manual therapy and tailored exercises help relieve pelvic and back pain.
Bladder and Bowel Health: Address incontinence and constipation with customized pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle tips.
Core Strengthening: Safely strengthen your core muscles to support your growing belly without overloading your pelvic floor.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40): Preparing for Labour
As your due date approaches, we focus on preparing your body for delivery and addressing any discomforts caused by the added weight and pressure.
Common Issues We Address:
Pelvic heaviness or pressure.
Worsened urinary leakage.
Anxiety about labour and delivery.
Our Approach:
Labour Preparation:
Teach perineal massage techniques to reduce the risk of tearing.
Educate on breathing and relaxation strategies for delivery.
Pushing techniques and strategies to minimize the risk of tearing by effective pushing during delivery.
Explore optimal birthing positions tailored to your pelvic alignment.
Managing Pain: Relieve discomfort with manual therapy, stretches, and movement strategies.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Supports Postpartum Recovery
Immediate Postpartum (First 6 Weeks): Early Healing and Relief
After delivery, your body begins the healing process, but symptoms like perineal pain, urinary leakage, or clogged milk ducts can occur.
Common Issues We Address:
Perineal or pelvic pain.
Urinary urgency or leakage.
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation).
Our Approach:
Postpartum Assessment: At 4–6 weeks postpartum, we address your pelvic floor dysfunction, assess abdominal muscles and focus on overall recovery.
Relief for Clogged Milk Ducts:
We use Therapeutic Ultrasound therapy to treat clogged ducts.
Emergency appointments are available to ensure fast, effective relief and prevent mastitis.
Gentle Healing Exercises: Introduce light movements and breathing techniques to reduce swelling and promote healing.
Ongoing Postpartum Recovery (6 Weeks Onward): Rebuilding Strength and Confidence
Your postpartum recovery journey doesn’t stop after six weeks—it’s a process that deserves personalized care to address lingering symptoms and regain strength.
Common Issues We Address:
Pelvic pain or heaviness (possible signs of prolapse).
Bladder or bowel control issues.
Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
Difficulty returning to exercise.
Our Approach:
Rebuilding Strength:
Progressive pelvic floor exercises to restore strength and function.
Core stability exercises to improve diastasis recti and overall core support.
Prolapse Management:
Provide exercises and education to reduce prolapse symptoms and improve pelvic support.
Teach lifestyle adjustments like posture correction and proper lifting techniques.
Pain-Free Intercourse: Address scar tissue, tight muscles, and hormonal changes causing discomfort with manual therapy and relaxation techniques.
Safe Return to Fitness: Gradually guide you back into exercise, focusing on protecting your pelvic floor while rebuilding strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know if I need pelvic floor physiotherapy during pregnancy or postpartum?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like pelvic pain, back pain, incontinence, or heaviness in the pelvic region during pregnancy, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help. Postpartum, if you have bladder leakage, pain during intercourse, diastasis recti, or clogged milk ducts, it’s a sign that your body needs support to recover.
Even if you feel fine, an assessment ensures your pelvic floor is functioning well and helps prevent future issues.
2. What can I expect during my first pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment?
Your first session includes a thorough assessment of your pelvic floor, core, posture, and any pregnancy or postpartum symptoms you’re experiencing. We’ll discuss your concerns, perform gentle hands-on assessments (if needed), and provide a personalized treatment plan, including exercises and strategies tailored to your stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery.
Watch this video to learn more about Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and What Happens in the First Session: Watch the Video
3. How soon can I start pelvic floor physiotherapy after giving birth?
You can begin with gentle breathing exercises and pelvic floor awareness in the first few days postpartum. However, we recommend a full pelvic floor assessment at around 4–6 weeks postpartum to check for diastasis recti, prolapse, scar tissue healing, and overall pelvic floor function.
Take Charge of Your Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery with Expert Care
Pregnancy and postpartum bring major changes to your body, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a proven way to prevent and treat common concerns like pelvic pain, incontinence, prolapse, and clogged milk ducts. Whether you’re preparing for birth or recovering postpartum, our personalized approach ensures you get the expert care you need to feel strong and confident.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free pregnancy and postpartum recovery!