If you had a c-section, you might actually need pelvic floor therapy even more than someone who had a vaginal birth!
Here’s why: Many postpartum problems stem from the physical demands of pregnancy itself. During pregnancy, your joints and pelvic floor muscles are under constant strain from carrying your baby. This can weaken or overly tense the pelvic floor, potentially leading to issues like urinary or fecal leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, pelvic girdle pain, tailbone pain, and hip or back pain. If you had an unplanned C-section and labored before the surgery, your pelvic floor muscles were likely impacted by the labor itself as well.
Additionally, c-sections often leave behind significant scar tissue, which can create a “shelf-like” appearance and may pull on joints and fascia, causing tailbone, hip, back, or abdominal pain. Pelvic PT can help address and treat this scar tissue to alleviate these symptoms.
Lastly, remember that a c-section is major abdominal surgery. After any major surgery, physical therapy is key for full recovery and a return to normal activity. During a c-section, seven layers of tissue are cut or pulled apart. Without proper pelvic PT, these muscles may not heal to their fullest capacity, leading to pain and limited activity for years to come. Pelvic PT will guide you in retraining your abdominals from the inside out for complete healing.
