#postpartumproblems
Honestly, this post is not for the men, so ladies stick around and men we’ll see you later.
Who knew how much recovery and repair there is to be done after having a baby? I think we get so hyper focused on preparing for what is going to happen and how it is going to happen but forget to think and prepare for the aftermath. Regardless of whatever delivery method you experienced, pregnancy itself can affect your pelvic floor due to the changes and adaptions your body goes through during the process. If you had a vaginal delivery, it is likely there is a little more repair to be done “down there,” whether there was no tearing, tearing, or an episiotomy.
Raise your hand if you even know what your pelvic floor is…
It’s okay if you don’t. I’m going to give you a quick low down. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that are located between the pubic bone and tail bone. These muscles act as a hammock and hold all the organs in the pelvic region, in and up. For women, this includes the bladder, uterus, and colon. The urethra, vagina, and anus also pass through these muscles, so can be impacted if the pelvic floor is compromised. As you can imagine, when you are pregnant the growing baby puts pressure and weight on these pelvic floor muscles all while your body is stretching and changing in preparation for childbirth. This is why, regardless if you had a c-section or vaginal delivery, the pelvic floor is affected by pregnancy alone. If you delivered via vaginal birth, you can imagine that as the baby passed through the pelvic floor, the anatomy is impacted more significantly.
I felt the need to write about this topic because I feel like as women, we often do not know enough about our bodies. Our bodies are freaking complicated! By seeking help and participating in this service that is offered to women, I have learned so much about my own anatomy, bodily function, and problems I am experiencing that are fixable with some help from a specialist. Problems with the pelvic floor are not limited to issues after childbirth, that is just how I became aware that a) pelvic floor physical therapists even existed and b) I needed major help in repairing and healing my own pelvic floor.
Who knew pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) was a thing?
Yeah, I didn’t know either until my midwife told me the day after delivering Adelynn that I will need to see one regularly in order to get back to “normal” function and comfort. I had an extensive episiotomy and healing was not going to be fun.
Before scheduling my first appointment with PFPT I wanted to let my “down there” areas heal a bit. I didn’t want it to look like a murder scene and, honestly, was so scared of what it looked like after a large incision, many stitches, and only using a peri bottle to clean after restroom visits for weeks. Just keeping it real you guys. Anyway, I went in for my first visit around five weeks postpartum and boy, I did not know what to expect!
Number one question I’ve received about PFPT:
“What do they actually do at the appointment?”
I am sure every practitioner approaches it a little differently, with the same end goals in mind. With my experience, it was more invasive than I thought it would be. Not in a bad way, I just thought it would be more focused on exercises and breathing activities, but instead it was manual manipulation of the pelvic floor muscles and scarring by the physical therapist. Obviously, they ask your consent for everything done as they go. The practitioner should never force anything you are uncomfortable with. These techniques also may have been used because, in my situation, I had a lot of scar tissue and a hypertonic (super tense) pelvic floor. Every time I go it starts with external and internal manipulation of my scar and the pelvic floor muscles that cause me discomfort, an ultrasound machine is often used externally to break up scar tissue, then at the end we go over some exercises/stretches/breathing activities to help me progress in healing and repair process. Yes, six months out and I am still considered to be “healing.”
My pelvic floor therapist also helped guide me in my return to exercise. This return was a lot slower paced than I had anticipated but it was so important to do it right, as to not cause more damage or prolong issues I was already dealing with. You all know how much I love my movement and exercise, and I’m even specially trained in perinatal fitness. But if I’m being honest, had I not had her guidance and suggestions, I would have gone balls to the walls way too early and compromised my healing.
Who should consider seeking care of a PFPT?
pain in pelvic floor region
pressure “down there”
diastasis recti
urinary incontinence
bowel problems
prolapse issues
anyone who has delivered a child!
I know this topic is a little, well…TMI, but it is also so important! My pelvic floor therapist has worked with me to resolve significant pain, soreness, nerve damage, and incontinence/bowel issues. If I hadn’t regularly worked with her, I would likely still be experiencing these issues. There is still work to be done, but I feel and notice huge improvements in function and comfort. One thing she also always says is, it is never too late to get help.
I am fascinated every time I go to my appointment. It is so great to learn about your body and what to do to help it repair and function best.
Pro tip: Ask for a referral from your OBGYN or primary care and, depending where you go, it can be covered by health insurance!
As always, I’m pretty much an open book, so head to the contact forum if you have any other questions or suggestions of other blog topics.
xoxo Cali