All About Pelvic Health

Here are our top three articles on postpartum pelvic health

Pregnancy, labor, delivery and breastfeeding all have an impact on your pelvic health. As the weeks of pregnancy pass, your hormones change, your belly stretches and your pelvis widens. And then, whether you have a c-section or vaginal birth, your baby makes his or her way out of your body and into the world. That’s a lot of weight and work for your lower half to endure.

To help you protect, heal and strengthen your pelvic floor, we’ve rounded up a wealth of information, including plenty of expert advice from pelvic health pro Sara Reardon, PT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, aka The Vagina Whisperer.

Childbirth And Your Pelvic Floor

We may joke about moms peeing their pants when they sneeze, but trust us, it doesn’t have to be that way. Issues like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, painful sex and prolapse can be common—and unfortunately, one quick OB appointment at six weeks postpartum is often not enough to address them. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept leaking or pain as a part of new-mom life. Help is available and you can heal. When it comes to pelvic floor recovery, find out what’s normal, what’s not and how you can keep your body strong and pain-free. (Hint: seeing a physical therapist tops the list!)

Fourth Trimester Pelvic Floor Healing

The first three months after childbirth is a huge time of transition—not only for your baby but also for you. We call this the fourth trimester. Your body is healing, you’re trying to get the hang of breastfeeding, and you’re taking care of a newborn. So many of us focus on pregnancy and childbirth and we forget to prepare for what happens after the baby arrives. Find out what you can expect in those early weeks, including all the nitty-gritty on your pelvic floor, postpartum peeing and pooping (yes, we’re going there!) and c-section recovery.

Breastfeeding and Pelvic Health

Your hormones change radically after giving birth to kickstart your breast milk production. Did you know that the sudden drop in estrogen and spike in prolactin can also affect your pelvic health? Some moms may experience a delayed return in their period, vaginal dryness and a decreased sex drive. While some of these effects may be temporary, it is important to listen to your body. Learn how you can promote pelvic health while you’re breastfeeding, and when it may be time to enlist a little help from the pros. 

It’s incredible: Your body grew and carried a baby—and through breastfeeding, it continues to help your little one grow. Be gentle with yourself. Your health and healing is a priority, and you deserve support and care. If you need help locating resources or information on breastfeeding, postpartum recovery or pelvic health, reach out to our team at The Lactation Network. We’re a team of real moms, so we know how tough the fourth trimester can be. We’re here to help.