Postpartum | Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy | Restore Your Core Physical Therapy

Postpartum

Carmel & Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy

 “Things just aren’t the same anymore…I just don’t feel like myself.”

“How can I get my body back?”

“Sex hurts now and I don’t look forward to it.  I feel bad for my husband because I avoid it.”

“I can’t control my bladder when I cough or sneeze.”

“My stomach will never be the same.”

Carmel & Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy That Helps

As women’s health physical therapists (WHPT) we hear versions of these comments on a daily basis in regards to the changes women experience during pregnancy and after childbirth.  Our society focuses on the birth of the baby and all of the joys of becoming a parent.  Women rarely open up and talk about the issues surrounding pregnancy and childbirth that affects their bodies and when they do, they often voice they feel guilty about asking for help.  Medical providers often contribute to this feeling of guilt because when women finally make the decision to ask for help they are frequently told “you had a baby and your body has changed, you’ll have to learn to live with the changes.”   The other avenue women take in an attempt to return to their pre-pregnancy weight is jumping right back into exercise routines that they were completing prior to becoming pregnant.  A good majority of the time, these routines are too aggressive and over time it creates additional issues which again makes women feel that pregnancy and delivery has ruined their bodies forever.  It is important to note that the muscles and ligaments affected by pregnancy will take 4-6 months for full recovery.  Fortunately, many of the issues affecting women’s bodies after pregnancy and childbirth can be addressed by a WHPT.

The therapists at Restore Your Core Physical Therapy regularly treat post-partum related dysfunctions.    

Postpartum Care:

  • Pelvic girdle pain (sciatic, hip, sacral, pubic symphysis pain)
  • Low back pain
  • Mid-back pain/rib pain
  • Hip pain
  • Tailbone pain
  • Neck/shoulder/arm pain
  • Frequent urination
  • Urinary dysfunction
    • Incontinence (leaking urine)
    • Urinary frequency/urgency (urinating > every 2 hours during waking hours)
    • Hesitant or weak urine stream
    • Straining to urinate
    • Urinary retention (due to elevated pelvic muscle tone)
    • Nocturia (waking > 1-2x per night to urinate)
    • Pain before, during, after urination
    • Bladder Pain
    • Urethral pain/burning
    • Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
  • Bowel Dysfunction
    • Constipation
    • Fecal incontinence
    • Inability to control gas
    • Painful voiding/bowel movements
  • C-section scar pain
  • Episiotomy scar pain
  • Pelvic organ prolapse/pressure
  • Diastasis recti
  • Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
  • Weak core muscles

It is important to note that these things are NOT considered normal 6-8 weeks after delivery:

  • Pain or issues with C-section or episiotomy incision
  • Any leaking of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, jumping, etc.
  • Inability to delay the urge to urinate with a strong urge
  • Inability to control gas or stool during daily activities
  • Pain during bowel movements
  • Pressure or bulging in the vagina and/or rectum
  • Pain in the tailbone
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Pain in the low back, mid-back, ribs, neck, etc.
  • Diastasis recti (split down the middle of the abdomen)

If any of these conditions persists 6-8 weeks post-partum, you should seek care from a WHPT.  Many of the issues are treatable, but if they are left untreated they can cause long term issues.  You should not start a strengthening program if you have any of the conditions listed above until you have received adequate training for proper functioning of the core musculature which includes the pelvic floor muscles, transverse abdominus, multifidus, and breathing diaphragm.  The therapists at Restore Your Core Physical Therapy regularly treat all of the post-partum related dysfunctions listed above.

Helpful links from our Carmel & Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy center

Postpartum Physical Therapy-Health care in the United States is not addressing common issues for new moms learn why here:  http://glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2012/02/did-you-know-the

Contact our Carmel & Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy center

Contact our Carmel & Greenwood Pelvic Physical Therapy Center for all your postpartum issues. Feel free to reach out to any of our Pelvic Pain therapists at Restore Your Core Physical Therapy. We look forward to improving your life.