Leaking when you sneeze, pressure 'down there,' or pain during intimacy — these symptoms are common after birth, but they're not something you just have to live with.
Dr. Angela Torres
PT, DPT — Pelvic Floor Specialist
Many mothers dismiss symptoms after birth — leaking urine, pelvic pressure, pain during sex — that are actually very treatable.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that spans the base of your pelvis. It supports your bladder, bowel, and uterus, and plays a role in sexual function, core stability, and continence. During pregnancy, it bears the weight of a growing baby for nine months.
What can go wrong?
The two most common categories are hypotonicity (muscles that are too weak) and hypertonicity (muscles that are too tight). Contrary to popular belief, not all pelvic floor dysfunction is about weakness — many women have pelvic floors that are too tense, causing pain and discomfort.
Symptoms that warrant evaluation include urinary leakage, urgency to urinate, pain during intercourse, pelvic heaviness or pressure, diastasis recti, and lower back or hip pain that didn't resolve postpartum.
When should you see a pelvic floor PT?
The standard guidance is to wait until your 6-week postpartum clearance. However, many specialists recommend being evaluated at 6 weeks even if you feel fine — catching issues early makes treatment far more effective.
What does treatment involve?
A pelvic floor PT will take a thorough history and, with your consent, perform an internal examination to assess muscle tone, coordination, and strength. Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, breathing techniques, and education. Most women see significant improvement within 6–10 sessions.
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