After a cesarean section, a mom with an 8-week-old baby struggled with scar pain that made it hard to play with her toddler and get on and off the floor. Pelvic floor physical therapists Jennifer Cumming, PT, CLT, WCS and Sarah Dominguez, PT, CLT, WCS from Foundational Concepts Specialty Physical Therapy knew they could help her reach her goal of playing with her children and moving more freely.
Cumming and Dominguez emphasize the importance of a pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) in women’s healthcare. “Pelvic floor PT should be an important team member in your postpartum journey for returning to work, the gym and family life with a new baby,” they say. “Pregnancy and delivery are major events for our bodies, and pelvic floor PT helps women to navigate the changes to get back to activities safely … so you can keep up with the needs of your growing family.”
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and tissues that sit like a hammock at the base of the pelvis. These muscles help support the bladder, uterus and bowel while also playing an important role in core strength and posture. During pregnancy, the growing baby places added pressure on these muscles. Hormonal changes can also affect how the tissues stretch and function. After delivery, whether vaginal or cesarean, the pelvic floor may be weak, tight or uncoordinated. Cumming and Dominguez say, “Symptoms are clues that there is a muscle dysfunction and that pelvic floor physical therapy could be helpful.”
Common signs that you may benefit from pelvic floor PT include leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising; frequent urgency to use the bathroom; pain with intercourse; pelvic pressure or heaviness; constipation; lower back pain; hip pain; tailbone pain or difficulty returning to exercise. Some women also experience abdominal separation, known as diastasis recti, which can be addressed during therapy. Cumming and Dominguez say, “These signs and symptoms are common, but not normal.”
Pelvic floor PT can also be helpful during pregnancy. According to Cumming and Dominguez, “Healthy muscles and educated moms make for a better delivery experience.” Pelvic floor PT can adapt exercise routines safely as the pregnancy progresses and can prepare women for delivery with birthing positions. It can also improve hip and pelvic mobility and teach women how to elongate the pelvic floor muscles for pushing.
Many women are surprised to learn that pelvic floor therapy is more than doing Kegels. In some cases, muscles need to relax and lengthen rather than tighten. A trained therapist will help determine what your body truly needs.
The postpartum season is a time of healing, and moms deserve support. Whether you are pregnant, newly postpartum or years beyond delivery, pelvic floor PT can improve your comfort, confidence and quality of life. If something does not feel right, it is worth asking your healthcare provider for a referral.
To learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy or find out whether it may be right for you, visit Foundational Concepts Specialty Physical Therapy. Their team offers a free 15-minute consultation to help new and expecting moms take the next step toward feeling stronger, more comfortable and supported.