Embracing Personalized Care: My Journey with Pelvic Floor Therapy and Why Every Mother Should Consider It

As a mother who journeyed through IVF and a cesarean birth, I learned firsthand that the postpartum period requires more attention than commonly assumed. Despite the absence of routine pelvic floor therapy (PT) in US postpartum care, my experience revealed its vital importance. Today, I'm here to share my journey which underscores the importance of seeking help, even when we think everything is fine.

Why Pelvic Floor Therapy Matters

From diastasis recti to pelvic floor discomfort, a skilled pelvic floor therapist can address a wide range of issues, including:

• Urinary urgency

• Bowel dysfunction

• Diastasis recti

• Pelvic floor weakness or tightness

• Postural issues

• Hemorrhoids

• Pain during intercourse

By targeting these issues and more, pelvic floor therapy promotes not only physical healing but also emotional wellbeing, empowering mothers to reclaim control over their bodies and their lives. Most health plans offer some level of pelvic floor PT, making it an accessible resource for postpartum mothers, and by raising awareness, we can ensure that every mother has the support she needs to navigate the postpartum journey with confidence and resilience.

My Personal Journey

In the haze of early motherhood, I followed the standard postpartum care recommendations, assuming that everything was fine. Like many mothers, especially cesarean moms who may not be routinely advised toward pelvic floor therapy ("If you want to" was the response when I asked my physician if I should see a pelvic PT postpartum), I didn't initially seek out this form of care. However, as time passed, I began to notice lingering discomforts and challenges that were overlooked during my initial postpartum check-ups. It wasn't until almost three years later that I decided to seek help again. As they say, the days are long, but the years are short.

This time, I was determined to find someone who could take a holistic approach to my care—to see me as more than just a checklist of symptoms. That's when I found a pelvic floor therapist who truly listened and understood the complexities of my postpartum experience. With her guidance, we addressed issues that had previously gone unnoticed, from diastasis recti (which limited the efficiency of my workouts) to urinary urgency (unwanted nagging pee reminders, my toddler may have some notes on this) to pelvic floor discomfort (nope, recurring pain is not the price to pay for motherhood). Through personalized exercises and holistic recommendations, I experienced improvements in both my physical and emotional wellbeing, reaffirming the value of seeking help and advocating for our own postpartum care. Lamorinda moms - see my recommendation below!

Why Every Mother Should Consider Pelvic Floor Therapy

Motherhood is a deeply personal journey, marked by moments of joy and challenges, but with the right support, we can navigate it with grace and strength. Pelvic floor therapy isn't merely a luxury; it's an essential aspect of postpartum care that every mother should have access to. By opening up about our experiences and championing for increased awareness, we can pave the way for pelvic floor therapy to become a standard part of postpartum care, empowering mothers to reclaim control over their bodies, prioritize their health, and find joy in their journey through motherhood.

Cosmic Motherhood's Go-To Pelvic Floor Must Haves

• Squatty Potty (Amazon) - Recommended for positioning hips at an optimal angle to allow your pelvic floor to relax and greatly aiding elimination. Also doubles as a nifty toddler step stool!

• Fridababy Upside Down Peri Bottle (Amazon) - Typically recommended for postpartum recovery, but equally useful in the years beyond as a handheld bidet.

• Cottonelle Wet Wipes (Amazon) - Any brand will do, but the trick is to use these when you do ;), replacing abrasive toilet paper wiping. I always look for the most sustainable options around my home, but second to a bidet, wipes are far superior for comfort than wiping.

• Foam Roller (Amazon) - Great for rolling out tight and overworked muscles (hello, lifting toddlers!), or as a baton for toddler iron mans.

• Chelated Magnesium Glycinate (Amazon) - Recommended for sleep, nervous system regulation, and muscle relaxation. As with all supplements, discuss with your physician first.

Lamorinda Pelvic Health Resources

• Dr. Romy Harvard, Peregrine PT - Nestled in the Orinda Atma Yoga Club House (99 Brookwood Road, Orinda), Dr. Harvard provides concierge orthopedic, pelvic, and wellness services. She is a truly holistic provider, and will help you connect the dots between sleep, nutrition, posture, pelvic healing and resulting emotional wellbeing. I couldn't recommend her more!

This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Thank you.