Complete guide to pelvic health after baby

We understand that with pregnancy comes an onslaught of changes to learn about. Having a baby can be exciting, but it can also be immensely overwhelming. With the birth of your child, you’ll have a whole new person to take care of, but who will be there to take care of you? With so many new additions in your life, including bodily changes like pelvic alignment changes, you can be sure that physical therapists are there to help. Most women experience significant changes in their pelvic health after giving birth. Fortunately, these can be treated during PT. Learn more about the types of pelvic issues that can occur after having a baby and how PT can help.

What types of pelvic health issues can occur after having a baby?

Both pregnancy and birth are notorious for creating significant changes in the body. Not every woman’s body changes are the same, but several common conditions can appear as a result of having a baby. Some of the most common conditions that result are related to pelvic health. You can read more below about some of those pelvic health issues that can occur after birth:

• Urinary incontinence — One of the most common pelvic health issues that can occur after having a baby is urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a term used to describe the lack of control over bladder function. Someone with this condition is likely to experience urine leaks and the urge for frequent urination. Urine leaks can be triggered when sneezing, laughing and coughing.

• Pelvic organ prolapse — Another common pelvic health issue that can happen when you have a baby is pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that occurs when the organs in the pelvis move out of their natural alignment. Those with pelvic organ prolapse most often experience organ movement down into the vagina. It can create discomfort in the pelvis and vagina, create a visible lump, and place pressure on the genitals. 

• Pain during intercourse — Having a baby can also result in pelvic health issues including pain during intercourse. It's not uncommon for someone who recently had a baby to experience pain when they try to engage in intercourse. 

• Pelvic and low back pain — If you've recently had a baby and are experiencing pelvic and low back pain, this is one common type of pelvic health issue after pregnancy. Pelvic pain and lower back pain can indicate a need for treatment of one’s pelvic weakness.

How can physical therapy help you regain your pelvic health after you have a baby?

Physical therapy for pelvic health, also called pelvic floor physical therapy, is a type of treatment that can help women who have pelvic health concerns after childbirth. The goal of pelvic floor therapy is to reduce symptoms of poor pelvic health and improve quality of life. There are several ways that a physical therapist can improve the pelvic health of someone experiencing any of the aforementioned conditions: 

• Building strength in the pelvis — One way that a physical therapist can help you maintain your pelvic health after having a baby is by building strength. It's common to find that after pregnancy, women have decreased muscle strength in their pelvic region. Pelvic floor therapy is designed to increase muscle strength and mass in the lower abdominal region. 

• Increasing flexibility in the pelvis — Another way that physical therapy can help someone maintain their pelvic health after they have a baby is by increasing their pelvic flexibility. Several of the pelvic health conditions listed above can be traced back to poor flexibility. When this flexibility is improved during physical therapy sessions, many symptoms of poor pelvic health also improve. 

• Improving muscle function in the pelvis — In addition to boosting muscle strength, physical therapy can be useful for improving muscle function in the pelvis. The muscles can be retrained to hold the organs in the pelvis including the bladder, bowels and uterus. It can also help women who have issues with urinary incontinence. Physical therapy can help patients retrain their muscles in order to gain control over urinary incontinence.

• Improving joint function in the pelvis — Pregnancy can also lead to decreased joint function in the pelvis. If your joint function is less than satisfactory, a physical therapist is likely to help. They can provide you with the exercises and movements you need to increase protection around the joints and reduce joint vulnerability. The end result of improving pelvic joint function during PT is better mobility and flexibility in the pelvis.

It’s time to receive the high-quality physical therapy care you deserve. Let Alliance PTP find you a qualified care provider

Physical therapy can be an effective and affordable way to get help with your pelvic health after having a baby. You just need the right partner to provide it. 

Alliance Physical Therapy Partners has you covered. We can help you find a PT clinic near you that’s staffed with experienced and caring physical therapists. 

Prefer to meet with a physical therapist virtually? We’ve got you covered there, too. 

Reach out to us today so we can help you find the physical therapy that works best for your