Postpartum Physiotherapy

Pregnancy places significant physical and hormonal demands on the body. Prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy can help support your changing body, reduce discomfort, prepare for labour and delivery, and improve recovery after birth.

At our pelvic health clinic serving Calgary and Okotoks, we provide evidence-informed prenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy designed to help you feel stronger, more comfortable, and more confident throughout pregnancy.

Whether you are experiencing pelvic pain, urinary leakage, sciatic pain, hip discomfort, pelvic pressure, or simply want to proactively prepare for labour, prenatal pelvic physiotherapy can help.

What Is Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy is specialized rehabilitation focused on restoring pelvic floor, abdominal, breathing, and core function after childbirth.

Pregnancy and delivery can contribute to:

• Pelvic floor weakness

• Urinary leakage

• Core weakness

• Diastasis recti

• Pelvic pain

• Scar sensitivity

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Pain with intercourse

• Low back or hip pain

• Difficulty returning to exercise

Postpartum pelvic physiotherapy helps improve strength, coordination, pressure management, mobility, and overall recovery.

Common Postpartum Symptoms We Treat

Urinary Incontinence After Childbirth

Leaking urine after pregnancy is common, especially with:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Laughing

• Running

• Lifting

• Exercise

Postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve:

• Bladder control

• Pelvic floor strength

• Pressure management

• Functional continence

Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation)

Many postpartum individuals experience separation of the abdominal wall muscles.

Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal doming

• Weak core strength

• Difficulty with exercise

• Low back pain

• Poor pressure control

Treatment may include:

• Deep core retraining

• Breathing coordination

• Functional strengthening

• Pressure management strategies

Cesarean Section Recovery

Postpartum physiotherapy can support recovery after C-section by addressing:

• Scar sensitivity

• Reduced scar mobility

• Core weakness

• Abdominal discomfort

• Pressure management

• Return-to-exercise progression

Scar mobilization and desensitization techniques may also be incorporated when appropriate.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse After Pregnancy

Some individuals experience:

• Vaginal heaviness

• Pelvic pressure

• Feeling of “falling out”

• Reduced pelvic support

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve symptom management, pelvic floor coordination, and pressure distribution strategies.

Pain with Intercourse Postpartum

Hormonal changes, tissue sensitivity, pelvic floor tension, and scar tissue can contribute to pain during intercourse after childbirth.

Treatment may include:

• Pelvic floor relaxation

• Scar management

• Mobility work

• Breathing retraining

• Vaginal dilator guidance

• Return-to-intimacy education

Return to Exercise After Pregnancy

Many postpartum individuals are unsure how to safely return to:

• Running

• Weightlifting

• CrossFit

• Yoga

• Pilates

• Gym training

• High-impact exercise

Postpartum pelvic physiotherapy helps assess readiness for exercise and guides safe progression while minimizing pelvic floor symptoms.

What Happens During a Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Assessment?

Your assessment is individualized and may include:

• Detailed health and birth history

• Assessment of symptoms and goals

• Breathing assessment

• Posture and movement assessment

• Core and abdominal wall evaluation

• Diastasis recti assessment

• Hip and low back assessment

• Pelvic floor assessment (optional and consent-based)

Internal pelvic floor examination is always optional and performed only with informed consent.

When Should You Start Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Many people begin pelvic floor physiotherapy around 6 weeks postpartum, but treatment may start earlier or later depending on symptoms, healing, and medical clearance.

It is also important to know:

You do not need to be newly postpartum to benefit.

Many individuals seek pelvic floor physiotherapy:

• Months after birth

• Years after childbirth

• After multiple pregnancies

• When symptoms worsen over time

Is Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Covered by Insurance?

Many extended health benefit plans in Alberta cover physiotherapy services, including pelvic floor physiotherapy.

Coverage varies depending on your provider and plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is urinary leakage normal after having a baby?

Urinary leakage is common postpartum, but it is not something you simply have to live with. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can often help improve symptoms significantly.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help after a C-section?

Yes. Even after cesarean birth, the pelvic floor and core system are affected by pregnancy and abdominal surgery. Physiotherapy can help improve recovery, mobility, strength, and scar healing.

Do I need an internal pelvic floor exam?

No. Internal assessment is optional and based entirely on your comfort and consent.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help me return to running?

Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help assess pelvic floor readiness, pressure management, strength, and impact tolerance before returning to running and high-impact activities.

Is it too late to start pelvic floor physiotherapy years after childbirth?

No. Many individuals experience improvement even years postpartum.

Benefits of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Benefits may include:

• Improved bladder control

• Improved bowel function

• Better pelvic floor strength and coordination

• Reduced pelvic heaviness

• Improved core stability

• Improved scar mobility

• Reduced pain with intercourse

• Improved confidence with exercise

• Better pressure management

• Improved postpartum recovery

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Calgary & Okotoks

We proudly provide postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy services for clients in:

• Calgary

• Okotoks

• South Calgary

• Southeast Calgary

• Southwest Calgary

• Foothills region

Our goal is to help you recover safely, improve pelvic health, and return confidently to the activities that matter most to you.

Book Your Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Assessment

If you are experiencing postpartum pelvic floor symptoms — or simply want support returning to exercise and daily life after childbirth — postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy can help.

Book your postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment in Calgary or Okotoks today to support your recovery, strength, and long-term pelvic health.