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My Experience with Pelvic Floor Therapy After Labor and Delivery

Amidst the chaos of motherhood, it can be easy to overlook your own recovery after pregnancy and delivery. One aspect of postpartum care that deserves special attention is your pelvic floor, especially if you’ve had multiple children. For myself, my third baby was my surrogacy pregnancy, and my postpartum recovery took a little longer than before.

Before becoming a surrogate, I didn’t even know pelvic floor therapy existed. Like many, I assumed my body would “bounce back” after delivery, just like it had in my previous pregnancies. However, after delivering my third baby, I began experiencing this annoying “dragging” feeling in my pelvic floor and I had sense that something just wasn’t right. My doctor recommended pelvic floor therapy, and I’m so glad I took the advice. Here’s what I learned from my journey.

What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. During pregnancy and childbirth, these muscles undergo significant strain, which can lead to issues such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and even prolapse. Pelvic floor therapy involves working with a specialized physical therapist to strengthen and rehabilitate these muscles.

Does Health Insurance Cover Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Whether or not health insurance will cover your pelvic floor therapy obviously depends on your individual policy. For myself, I had to have my OBGYN give a referral. Because I had reached the out-pocket-max costs on my policy after delivery, there was no additional cost for the pelvic floor therapy sessions.

How Long After Delivery Should You Start Pelvic Floor Therapy?

The ideal time to start pelvic floor therapy after delivery varies depending on your recovery, delivery type, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. In most cases, women can begin gentle pelvic floor therapy as early as six weeks postpartum, once they’ve had their postnatal check-up and received clearance from their healthcare provider. For those who experienced complications, such as a significant tear, C-section, or pelvic trauma, the timeline may differ, and a more gradual approach may be recommended.

Early therapy focuses on restoring connection with your pelvic floor, improving strength, and addressing issues like incontinence, pain, or prolapse. Even if months or years have passed since childbirth, it’s never too late to seek pelvic floor therapy to improve function and quality of life.

The First Appointment: What to Expect

Walking into my first appointment, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. My therapist began with a detailed conversation about my delivery experience and current symptoms. She explained how the pelvic floor functions and how it can be affected by pregnancy and delivery—whether via vaginal birth or C-section.

The evaluation was thorough but completely professional. My therapist assessed my posture, core strength, and pelvic floor muscles to determine where I needed support. The session ended with a personalized treatment plan tailored to my needs.

Be Prepared to Speak About Your Bathroom Habits

When attending pelvic floor therapy, it’s important to be prepared to discuss your bathroom habits openly and honestly. This includes details about your urinary and bowel habits, such as frequency, urgency, any leakage, straining, or discomfort you experience. While it might feel awkward to talk about these private matters, this information is essential for your therapist to understand how your pelvic floor is functioning and identify potential issues. Remember, pelvic floor therapists are trained professionals who approach these conversations with empathy and without judgment.

My Pelvic Floor Treatment Plan

To my surprise, the treatment plan prescribed to me did not involve anything related to the vaginal area. We did cupping sessions on my abdomen, to assist with lymphatic drainage massage. I was also put on a high-fiber diet and fluids for more regular bowel movements, to relieve any pressure on my pelvic floor. I started eating chia seed and flax pudding on a regular basis in the morning, as a way to add more fiber into my diet.

I am happy to report that my pelvic floor discomfort issues were resolved in a matter of weeks, and no follow-up procedures were needed.

The Benefits I’ve Experienced from My Own Pelvic Floor Treatment

As I mentioned above, after a few weeks of consistent therapy, I noticed significant improvements. My pelvic floor discomfort reduced and I regained confidence in my body’s ability to heal. Perhaps the most surprising benefit was the emotional relief—knowing I was taking proactive steps toward recovery helped alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty I’d been carrying.

Additional Types of Pelvic Floor Therapies

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about Kegels—in fact, sometimes Kegels aren’t the right solution!

Pelvic Floor Breathing Techniques

Breathing techniques play a crucial role in pelvic floor therapy by promoting relaxation, improving muscle coordination, and enhancing overall pelvic health. Diaphragmatic breathing, often referred to as deep belly breathing, helps reduce tension in the pelvic floor by encouraging the muscles to relax and lengthen with each exhale. This technique involves inhaling deeply through the nose, allowing the diaphragm to expand and the abdomen to rise, followed by a slow, controlled exhale through the mouth. Proper breathing fosters better oxygen flow, reduces stress, and aids in connecting the breath with pelvic floor muscle movements, which is essential for managing issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, and postpartum recovery. Integrating these techniques into daily practice can significantly improve the effectiveness of pelvic floor therapy and overall well-being.

Gentle Stretches and Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Gentle stretches and exercises are foundational to pelvic floor therapy, helping to restore strength, flexibility, and coordination to the pelvic floor muscles. Stretching exercises, such as child’s pose, happy baby pose, or seated forward folds, encourage the relaxation and lengthening of tight or overactive pelvic muscles. Strengthening exercises like bridges, modified squats, or tailored Kegel exercises are introduced gradually to rebuild muscle tone and support proper function.

Gentle movements, often paired with mindful breathing, improve circulation, relieve tension, and foster awareness of the pelvic region. These exercises are particularly beneficial for managing conditions such as pelvic pain, prolapse, or postpartum recovery. Incorporating them into a regular routine can improve overall pelvic health and enhance quality of life.

Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Biofeedback is a valuable tool in pelvic floor therapy that helps individuals gain awareness and control over their pelvic floor muscles. This technique uses specialized sensors and computer technology to monitor muscle activity, providing real-time feedback about how the pelvic floor muscles are functioning.

Through biofeedback, patients can learn to identify, strengthen, or relax these muscles more effectively, which is essential for addressing issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, or muscle dysfunction. By visualizing or hearing their muscle responses, individuals can practice proper techniques with greater precision, ensuring progress during therapy. This non-invasive method empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery, making it a highly effective component of comprehensive pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Manual Therapy for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach in pelvic floor therapy that focuses on assessing and treating dysfunctions in the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissues, and surrounding structures. This therapeutic technique involves gentle manipulation, massage, and stretching to release tension, improve blood flow, and restore normal muscle function. Therapists may address trigger points, adhesions, or areas of tightness that contribute to pain or dysfunction. Manual therapy is particularly beneficial for conditions such as pelvic pain, scar tissue from surgeries or childbirth, and restricted mobility. By targeting both the pelvic floor and related areas like the hips, lower back, and abdomen, manual therapy supports a holistic approach to healing, reducing discomfort and improving overall pelvic health.

Pelvic Floor Education

Pelvic floor education during a consultation is a crucial step in empowering individuals to understand and manage their pelvic health. During the session, the therapist explains the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor, highlighting its role in bladder and bowel control, sexual health, and core stability.

By fostering a clear understanding of how the pelvic floor works and how therapy can help, patients gain the knowledge and confidence to actively participate in their healing journey, laying the foundation for long-term pelvic health and well-being.

Tips for Postpartum Women Considering Pelvic Floor Therapy

Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss your symptoms and ask for a referral to a pelvic floor therapist.

Do Your Research

Look for a certified therapist who specializes in postpartum care, preferably in network with your health insurance.

Be Patient

Postpartum recovery takes time, and every journey is unique.

Improve Your Sex Life

Sex after labor can get tricky. Pelvic floor therapy can improve your sex life after having a baby by restoring muscle strength, reducing discomfort, and enhancing sensitivity and control, leading to greater confidence and enjoyment.

Prioritize Yourself

It can be hard to carve out time for therapy, but your health is worth it.

Final Thoughts

Giving birth is a beautiful, challenging, and life-changing experience. Taking the time to care for your body is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family. Pelvic floor therapy empowered me to feel strong and capable again, and I hope sharing my story encourages other moms to explore this valuable resource. Remember: healing is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

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