Childbirth often brings physical trauma that extends beyond standard postpartum expectations. Hannah Peirce experienced severe pain following the delivery of her son, noting that it felt like something was fundamentally wrong, according to reporting by FOX Carolina. After four months of persistent discomfort that prevented her from sitting without pain, an MRI confirmed that Peirce had fractured her tailbone and bruised her sacroiliac (SI) joint.
Recovery and Diagnosis After Childbirth
“It was nice to know, because I had spent so much time like, am I being over dramatic?” Peirce told FOX Carolina.
That diagnosis directed Peirce to Fyzical Therapy in Anderson, South Carolina, where targeted rehabilitation allowed her to resume normal daily activities, such as rocking her baby and returning to the gym.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor therapy addresses muscle weakness and structural strain resulting from pregnancy and delivery. Physical therapist Sherry St. Claire of Fyzical Therapy explains that these specialized exercises are beneficial for all postpartum mothers, not just those who experience acute medical complications during birth, according to FOX Carolina.
“When you cough and sneeze, that’s a lot of pressure in your abdominals, all your abdominal muscles that are pushed on what sometimes is a full bladder,” St. Claire said, as reported by FOX Carolina. “And your pelvic floor needs to be able to be strong enough to sustain that and have it, if it’s too weak, there’s gonna be leakage.”
The primary objectives of postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation include:
- Aiding overall postpartum tissue and muscle healing
- Building deep core stability to support the pelvis and spine
- Preventing or treating issues such as urinary incontinence
- Improving long-term quality of life for new mothers
“Just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal, so it doesn’t mean that it’s gotta be that way and it should be addressed so that you can have a better quality of life,” St. Claire stated, according to FOX Carolina.
Insurance Coverage and Prenatal Preparation
Postpartum pelvic floor therapy is typically covered by health insurance providers. In addition to treating postpartum complications, physical therapists recommend beginning pelvic floor exercises before giving birth to help prepare the muscles for the physical demands and stretching associated with delivery, according to FOX Carolina.
