Whether you have a vaginal or cesarean delivery, your pelvic floor supports your growing baby throughout your pregnancy. If you have delivered vaginally, you may have experienced tears as well as internal tissue damage as your baby made his/her way through sensitive tissue out of your body. If you have delivered via cesarean, you have experienced major abdominal surgery in which the rehabilitative process will be different and slightly more limiting as your body begins to heal. The first six weeks starting immediately after giving birth is considered a crucial time in which your body begins the process of healing and returning to normal. For many women, six weeks is not enough time to feel “normal” again, and that is normal to feel that way. Do you have difficulty picking up your baby or reaching overhead without leaking urine? Are you having problems returning to your previous level of exercising? Does your back hurt during/after breast feeding? If so, we are here to help.

Symptoms/Functional Problems
Some symptoms that you might be experiencing are pain (low back, pelvic, vaginal, rectum), urinary incontinence (UI), feeling pressure in the vaginal area (prolapse), abdominal weakness (DRA), painful intercourse, hemorrhoids, bowel incontinence, and constipation.

Causes
As your baby grew during your pregnancy, the increased weight on your pelvic floor can become weakened. Your pelvic floor is a network of muscles and fascia that support your uterus (where your baby grew), vagina, bladder, and rectum. After giving birth, vaginal or cesarean, your pelvic floor needs time to heal. It is important for you to know how to help yourself heal safely, so that you do not exacerbate current problems or experience new issues over time that could have been prevented. It is also important to heal well if you plan to get pregnant again in the future, so that your body is as prepared and strong as it can be for the next pregnancy.

FAQ
Q: What does postpartum pain/dysfunction mean?
A: Postpartum pain/dysfunction indicates complications that arise for the mother after she has given birth.
Q: What is a pelvic floor?
A: Your pelvic floor is a network of muscles and fascia that support your pelvic organs such as the uterus (where your baby grew), vagina, bladder, and rectum.
Q: Would I benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT)?
A: If you are a pregnant or postpartum mother and experiencing any of the symptoms described here, you may benefit from PFPT. This specialized therapy is useful in treating many painful and uncomfortable conditions related to pregnancy and postpartum.

Treating and Managing Your Postpartum Pain and Dysfunction:
Many mothers will simply cope with uncomfortable and pain-related symptoms from their pregnancy and into postpartum. Unfortunately, many mothers are not told about how a pelvic floor physical therapist can help alleviate their unpleasant symptoms, maximize the healing process after giving birth, and improve the mother’s quality of life as she learns to care for her new baby.

At N-Balance Physical Therapy, we offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a thorough evaluation to identify the cause of the problems you are experiencing and implement an individualized treatment plan to improve your symptoms, quality of life and enjoyment of your new baby.