Postpartum Recovery Is More Than “Bouncing Back”

Postpartum is a beautiful period of life. It’s also exhausting. You may have had the most incredible support system, or maybe not, but at some point life just keeps moving. Appointments slow down and shift to the focus being on the baby, people stop checking in as much, and it feels like you should just feel like your old self again. 

But you don’t. Or at least not yet. And folks try, sure, well-meaning people say “oh you’re doing great!” or “At least the baby is healthy.” Blegh to the second one because great, but what about the mom? Instagram says “bounce back” and “don’t bounce back.” 

Yet, for you, your core feels weaker, you leak when you laugh or sneeze, you feel pressure at the end of the day, and exercise feels different than it used to. It’s hard to connect to your body and with all the changes in pregnancy and postpartum. 

No one talked about that part, though. The diapers, sleep deprivation, newborn snuggles, sure that was mentioned plenty. But nobody prepared you for how to actually recover postpartum. 

Healing Does Not End at Six Weeks

One common misconception in the postpartum period is that the 6 week checkup means you’re fully recovered. However, it’s designed to check for tissue healing. So cleared for activity or intimacy simply means “the tissue can handle those activities from a structural perspective.” It doesn’t mean you are ready for those. When you go in and  everything looks fine on paper, you get the green light, but when you try to resume normal activity you realize pretty quickly that cleared and ready are not the same thing.

Pregnancy, delivery, feeding schedules, sleep deprivation, stress, hormonal shifts, and the physical demands of caring for a baby all place enormous load on your body. This doesn’t just magically disappear at 6 weeks. Often, you need intentional support to see progress. 

So, whether you’re a couple months or if you are years postpartum and you’re trying to figure out why your body still feels weird, you didn’t miss your window. It’s never too late to get support. 

Postpartum Symptoms Get Normalized Way Too Easily and Quickly

Leaking during workouts, pain with intimacy, low back discomfort, pelvic heaviness, core weakness, hip tension, and pressure with lifting or standing are all incredibly common postpartum symptoms. But that’s not normal, nor is it “just a part of motherhood.”

Your body is incredibly adaptable, and postpartum is proof of that. However, that doesn’t mean your postpartum body is unlimited in what it can compensate for. Sometimes functioning is really just a compensatory pattern and these only work for so long. Symptoms that seemed manageable at three months postpartum have a sneaky way of becoming more problematic at twelve months or even three years down the road. Life gets busy and the body eventually gets tired and runs out of cheat codes.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Is About More Than The Pelvic Floor

Postpartum care at Fortis is more than just about kegels and hope. We figure out how your whole system is functioning after everything it’s been through. 

This could mean reconnecting your core and pelvic floor, working on pressure management, addressing mobility restrictions, improving breathing mechanics, working through C-section scar mobility, or building your confidence with movement. We strengthen the system and the whole body because, as you’ve probably noticed, you use way more than your pelvic floor to care for yourself and your family. 

I see some ladies in those first 6 weeks and I see many that come in years down the road. The good news is that there isn’t an expiration date on getting better and making progress. Your timeline is also your own and even if two women come in at the same phase, their timelines of recovery may look entirely different. 

Wanting To Heal And Get Stronger Is Not Selfish

Womanhood comes with a lot of pressure to just push through. Motherhood amplifies that even more. You’re a mom, you are exhausted and uncomfortable, but you have mouths to feed, kiddos to bathe, a spouse to connect with, and it just seems that so many needs have to be met before your own. Moms, y’all are really freaking good at this. 

It is okay to need things too. You can provide for all of these things while tending to your own recovery as well. That’s also where external support (like us pelvic PTs) can be helpful at taking the thinking and stressing off your plate in the healing arena. Because eventually “fine” stops cutting it. 

You are more than welcome to care about how your body feels. You are allowed to want to build strength, capacity, and confidence. That’s good stewardship of your body. Pelvic floor therapy exists specifically for this reason. We’re not in the department of “bouncing back.” We are, however, in the department of helping you actually feel like yourself again, just a stronger, more supported version.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start pelvic floor therapy postpartum?

Many women benefit from pelvic floor therapy as early as a few weeks postpartum, while others seek support months or years later. Recovery timelines are highly individual and it’s also never too late to start. 

Is it normal to still feel weak months after having a baby?

Persistent weakness, pressure, leaking, or feeling disconnected from your core can be common postpartum, but they are not just a part of this phase. There are strategies and options available to reduce these symptoms and build your capacity.

Can pelvic floor therapy help postpartum core weakness?

Yes, of course! Pelvic floor physical therapy often focuses on improving core coordination, pressure management, strength, breathing mechanics, and movement patterns after pregnancy and delivery. 

Do I need pelvic floor therapy after a C-section?

Yep! Pregnancy itself places significant demands on the pelvic floor and abdominal system, and C-section recovery can also benefit from scar mobility work, core rehabilitation, and movement support. There’s a common myth that c-sections spare the pelvic floor.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Many ladies with cesareans have just as many, if not more, symptoms because they had 7 layers of abdominal tissue cut through. 

Why does exercise feel different postpartum?

Pregnancy and birth change how the body manages pressure, stability, strength, and coordination. The body doesn’t just snap back to pre-pregnancy function. It takes time and consistency to build awareness and control. It can be incredibly helpful to have guidance while returning to movement and exercise postpartum. 

How do I know if postpartum physical therapy is right for me?

If you are experiencing leaking, pressure, pain, weakness, discomfort, or difficulty returning to activities after pregnancy or birth, postpartum physical therapy may help support your recovery.

Book a discovery call today! I'd love to chat through what you're experiencing.