Pregnancy & Postpartum Care
Whether you are experiencing aches and pains during pregnancy, are worried about being ready for labor, or don't feel like body moves the same after delivery - we are here to help!
During Pregnancy
We are here to treat all the aches and pains that come with your pregnancy and strive to keep you comfortable and moving for as long as possible. Don't let pregnancy be the reason you stop doing the things you love! We also work with patients proactively to stay ahead of the pregnancy changes that occur to the body with planned visits at regular intervals.
During our sessions you will learn ways to care for your body at each stage of your pregnancy as well as how to prepare for the best delivery possible. Let us help you go into labor and delivery with a better understanding and connection to your pelvic floor.
After Delivery
We are here to support you in any way we can once your little one has arrived. We offer in-person & virtual visits in the first 4 weeks after delivery to help you navigate the early postpartum phase. We find that connecting to your body and pelvic floor early is key to a successful recovery. At 6 weeks postpartum we will check in to assess how you are feeling and moving, head to toe, with a focus on your pelvic health. We also offer return to running assessments & training and are the experts in helping you return to exercise in a way that feels the best for your body without fear or injury or instability.
Do you want to know more? Check out our post on:
Did you know...
In other countries, every single patient is sent to a pelvic floor therapist postpartum as a standard of care, whether they are having symptoms or not, as part of a holistic plan of care.
If you are currently pregnant, just delivered or had your babies years ago, you can benefit from pelvic floor therapy. We can help with the symptoms you thought were just your 'new normal' as well as aches and pains from head to toe including:
- neck, shoulder & upper back pain from carrying and feeding your little one
- diastasis rectus abdominis (or abdominal separation) which affects 2 in 3 birthing people (Read What Causes Diastasis Recti In Pregnancy?)
- pelvic pressure, heaviness, or prolapse (you know, that feeling like something is falling out)
- difficulty with bowel and bladder after delivery including urgency, frequency, and leakage
- pain or fear of returning to intimacy
- pelvic pain including pubic symphysis or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain
- return to exercise including our comprehensive
Return to Running assessment & training program
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pelvic floor therapy safe during all stages of pregnancy?
Yes, pelvic floor therapy is safe throughout pregnancy!
We will work with you through each stage to ensure we are addressing any aches or pains you may be having. We can also work with you proactively to guide you through each stage of pregnancy to minimize discomfort and keep you as active as possible.
When should I start pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy?
We suggest starting pelvic floor therapy around 10-12 weeks to establish care and discuss your goals during your pregnancy.
Since we take a full body approach, we will start with orthopedic concerns outside of the pelvic floor and introduce internal pelvic floor work, as appropriate, at the end of the first trimester.
I am at the end of my pregnancy, is it too late to be seen?
Nope! It is never too late to empower yourself for your delivery. We have seen patients as late as 39 weeks to help with labor and delivery prep or pelvic floor discomfort.
Can pelvic floor therapy help prevent tearing during childbirth?
Yes! We work with you to minimize or prevent tearing by working together on:
- perineal massage to encourage pelvic floor relaxation
- pushing & breathing techniques
- how to use position changes to prevent stalls and decrease risk of tearing
How soon can I start pelvic floor therapy after my delivery?
You can start pelvic floor therapy as soon as a few days after delivery. We know that sounds crazy but hear us out!
We are happy to meet with you via telehealth to discuss posture and mechanics for caring for your little one and yourself. We will also discuss the best moves to start for your postpartum recovery (hello breathing!).
We see most patients back in the clinic at 6-weeks post delivery to do our hands-on assessment of the pelvic floor and abdominal incision if you deliver via cesarean.
Do I even need pelvic floor therapy if I had a C-section?
Absolutely! Your abdominals and pelvic floor did a lot of work during pregnancy so you deserve the dedicated time to assess and address any issues that may arise.
We also prioritize assessing your c-section incision to minimize scar tissue restrictions as you start to return your normal movements.
