Postpartum Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

A postpartum pelvic floor assessment is a physiotherapy evaluation designed to understand how your body is functioning after birth and what you need. In the appointment, we talk about your birth and recovery, as well as your bladder and bowel habits, any pain or feeling of pressure, and the situations you find difficult in daily life. The physiotherapist assesses your breathing, your abdominal wall, the way you move, and your ability to sense, contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor health is not only about muscle strength; being able to relax and having the muscles work at the right moment matter too. Your physiotherapy plan is based on your findings and goals; not every new mother receives the same exercise program.

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Postpartum Pelvic Floor Assessment and Physiotherapy

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Assessment

The assessment covers how you gave birth, your recovery and any symptoms such as bladder or bowel problems, pain or a feeling of vaginal pressure. Breathing and the function of your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles are also addressed according to your needs.

Your Personalized Physiotherapy Plan

Your physiotherapy plan is built around the needs identified in the assessment. It may include exercises to contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles, EMG biofeedback, breathing and movement coordination, or suggestions for adapting daily activities.

Returning to Daily Life and Exercise

Together we look at your everyday needs, such as lifting your baby, standing for long periods or getting back to exercise. The goal is to plan movement options and exercises step by step, in line with your recovery.

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Common and Treatable

A study of the first year after birth reported that, across seven randomized controlled trials with 1,930 participants, pelvic floor muscle training reduced the likelihood of urinary incontinence by 37% compared with control groups.

"Since giving birth, I leak urine when I cough."

"I feel a downward pressure or heaviness in my vagina."

"I have pain during sex since giving birth."

Beamish NF, Davenport MH, Ali MU, ve ark. Impact of postpartum exercise on pelvic floor disorders and diastasis recti abdominis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025;59(8):562–575.

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation FAQ

What happens during a postpartum pelvic floor assessment?

First, we talk about your birth history, your recovery and the symptoms that brought you in. Then we assess your breathing, your ability to contract and relax your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, and your everyday movements. The assessment is guided by the symptoms you describe and by the limits you feel comfortable with.

Do I have to wait six weeks after birth for an assessment?

There is no single waiting period that applies to every assessment. If you have symptoms, you can speak with your doctor or a physiotherapist without waiting for your postpartum checkup; the assessment is planned with your type of birth and your recovery in mind.

Is an internal vaginal exam required?

No. An internal assessment is not done for everyone and is never performed without your consent. If it is considered helpful, the physiotherapist first explains why and how it would be done; if you prefer not to have one, we can continue with an external assessment and conversation.

Do I need a pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment after a C-section too?

Having had a C-section does not mean you can't have a pelvic floor assessment. Pregnancy itself affects the pelvic floor; your abdominal wall, healing around the incision and your everyday movements are also assessed according to your needs.

Should I start Kegel exercises right after giving birth?

The right timing and approach can vary depending on your postpartum condition and on factors such as stitches, tears or pain. If you're not sure you can correctly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles, get personalized guidance from a physiotherapist before increasing your exercises.

Which symptoms can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with?

Leaking urine when you cough or move, sudden urgency, fecal incontinence or straining to empty your bowels, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the vagina can all be reasons for an assessment. These symptoms can occur during pregnancy and after birth; pelvic health physiotherapists offer assessment and rehabilitation for them.