True or False…

True or False - I need to wait at least 6 weeks after delivering my baby before seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist.

Answer: FALSE

In the past, you might have heard that you need to wait at least 6 weeks before starting pelvic floor physical therapy after delivering a baby. That answer is FALSE. It is true that there are some things that your pelvic floor physical therapist will not be doing in the first few weeks of your postpartum journey, but that does not mean that you need to wait to get started, especially if you are having some questions or concerns about your postpartum recovery.

During your first few weeks of postpartum recovery you may have a lot of questions or notice things happening with your body that you haven’t noticed before. Instead of waiting and worrying alone, reach out to your pelvic floor physical therapist. Part of pelvic floor physical therapy is providing education and answering questions - which does NOT need to wait for 6 weeks! There are also a lot of activities that are SAFE to do within the first 6 weeks, and having a provider that can provide guidance and direction for those activities can make the postpartum recovery feel a lot less isolated.

Many new moms struggle with feeling emotionally disconnected in the first few weeks after delivery. Sometimes those feelings can be perpetuated by the healthcare system “norm” of scheduling a 6 weeks postpartum check-up for mom with moms feeling that they have minimal support between leaving the hospital and that 6 week check-up. Having a provider to answer questions for you prior to your postpartum wellness check can help you feel supported and decrease feelings of fear, anxiety, or loneliness about postpartum changes.

Also, during the first 6 weeks postpartum you are definitely not just resting! While it is true that you should be allowing your body to rest and heal from your delivery, it is also true that it is impossible to completely rest! You are caring for another human being (and maybe more than one if this isn’t your first delivery). You are still needing to lift and carry your baby, change diapers, feed the baby, and more! So, if there are areas of your daily activities that are difficult or causing symptoms for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pelvic floor physical therapy to help you problem solve how to safely perform these activities.

In summary, reach out to your pelvic floor physical therapist as soon as you feel ready! Don’t wait for a magical “6 week” appointment.