Your New Relationship With Your Pelvic Floor
Be honest – before getting pregnant, had you given much thought to your pelvic floor?
Had you even heard of your pelvic floor?
No judgment here! We send a ton of our clients for pelvic floor physical therapy, and most of them had no idea what that is. Needing to see a pelvic floor physical therapist is extremely common, especially after birth. Grab a hot beverage and prepare for a little TMI, as we open up about something that should be talked about more in women’s health.
There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and we sure hope no one is putting off treatment because of that. Since this topic seems so hush-hush, let’s crack this topic wide open. But first, a quick reminder that we’re not medical professionals, and this shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Speak to your doctor first, or we are happy to refer you to a trusted pelvic floor specialist if you’re in the Cleveland/Akron area.
What IS Your Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that create what is essentially a hammock that supports your lower back, hip joints, and pelvic organs (think bladder, uterus, and rectum). Normally, those muscles do their thing, and you never think about it. But as you can imagine, during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, there is a lot happening to your pelvic floor. And after all the shifting and stretching it’s had to do, sometimes it needs a little TLC for things to work as they should once again. Can you blame it though?
If a happy pelvic floor means your hips, back, pelvis, and organs are functioning and well supported, you can imagine what happens to those body parts when your pelvic floor is either too tight or too loose – neither is a great option.
Anyone can experience issues with their pelvic floor, but it most often happens soon after birth, or during the later stages of pregnancy if it’s not your first baby. There are a number of ways you might notice that things aren’t right. We’ll be honest when we say that doctors don’t always refer out for these types of issues. If your body isn’t performing as it used to, be your own advocate and get referred.
What Can Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help You With?
Where do we even begin? Pelvic floor therapy can make such an impact on your day-to-day quality of life. From nagging pain to your adult enjoyment, there are so many little (and big) things that impact your day-to-day life.
If you’re pregnant or postpartum, trouble with your pelvic floor might be connected to:
- Lower back pain
- Incontinence
- Painful sex
- Prolapse
- Frequent need to pee
- Pelvic floor pain
- Constipation
If you’d rather not have to cross your legs when you sneeze, or if things under the sheets aren’t like they used to be, we’re willing to bet you’d benefit from pelvic floor support. You’ll have in-person support, plus pelvic floor exercises to do on your own time.
Imagine not having to rush to the bathroom every time you have to go, coughing in public without fearing you’ll have an accident, or jumping on the trampoline with your kids without a second thought.
Many women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction for years before getting help. But that’s unnecessary! We’re breaking the silence to encourage more women to seek the help they need to get more satisfaction out of their life. Why continue “peezing” when you sneeze, if you don’t have to?
It’s important you know the distinction between a problem being common after having a baby, and one being normal. Peeing your pants may be common, but it isn’t normal.
Your new relationship with your pelvic floor doesn’t have to be complicated.
We mean it when we say we’re happy to pass along our list of favorite pelvic floor specialists. If you’re in the Cleveland or Akron area, we’d love to send you in the right direction. Don’t wait until you’re done growing your family to start getting back to your old self.
If you’re in the thick of pregnancy or postpartum, we have an extensive list of all the ways we can support you through each step of your parenting journey. We’ve been there before, and we’re here to help you enjoy more of those little moments, knowing you’re fully taken care of.
Ashley & the team
CLEbaby was established in 2015 to help Cleveland area families have positive, supportive experiences during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our wide range of services means that there's something for everyone. And our skilled, compassionate doulas, childbirth educators and sleep trainers deliver unmatched care, ensuring you're confident and set up for long-term success. At CLEbaby, we want families to not only survive early parenthood but thrive.