PostpartumPostpartum Reasons to See a Physiotherapist

In a 2005 joint policy statement, the Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of Canada reported: 

Pelvic floor muscle training with a physiotherapist is recommended to prevent urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after delivery (I-A). 

Core stability training with a physiotherapist is recommended to prevent and treat back and pelvic pain during and following pregnancy (I-B). 

Receiving pelvic floor physiotherapy postpartum is beneficial for the following: 

· Assessing the healing of the pelvic floor following a vaginal or C-section delivery (around the 6 week mark post follow-up with your Doctor) 

· C-section recovery education and care 

· Scar care (vaginal birth or Caesarian birth) 

· Diastasis Rectus Abdominis repair 

· Treating urinary urgency/frequency 

· Treating/preventing pelvic organ prolapse 

· Improving orgasms 

· Pain with sex 

· Blocked milk duct(s) 

· Learning how to properly perform kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor · Guidance for return to activity/sport/gym 

· Treating/preventing urinary or fecal incontinence 

· Relieving back, pelvic, tailbone, symphysis pubis, groin, or abdominal pain 

· Pressure in the vagina or rectum 

©Lynn Sweeney, Physiotherapist

Bsc. Kin, MPT