The 6 Week Postpartum Check-up

OBGYN: It’s been 6 weeks. (Briefly looks at vagina for any major issue-checks that you’re not dying from hemorrhaging still). Well, everything looks good down there. You can now resume sexual activity and exercise as you used to. 

You: That’s it? I’m good to go?

OBGYN: Yes, see me in 1 year for a cervical exam. 

You: ⁉️What in the actual heck⁉️

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD SEE A PELVIC FLOOR PT AFTER HAVING A BABY!!!

There is so much going on in a woman’s body after the pelvic floor carries an 8 pound baby for 40 weeks, the pelvic organs move around to positions they’ve never been in, the abs stretch and literally grow longer to accommodate a big ol belly, not to mention the trauma-like activity of giving birth vaginally OR surgically. 

I know...I know...having a baby is a beautiful thing. But it sure is hard on the body. So when your OBGYN gives you the “all clear” at 6 weeks-THINK AGAIN!

2 reasons:

1️. Your body needs time to heal after an event like that. Tissue healing can take 12 weeks or longer to completely heal, and that timeline depends on getting adequate sleep, nutrition, stress levels. How many new moms out there have all these things optimized by 6 weeks? I didn’t think so. So be gentle on yourself when getting back to exercise. It will take some time. However it will take less time, be safer and more efficient when working with a pregnancy and postpartum expert like us. 

2️. It is completely dumb to suggest a new mom is safe to jump into exercise as normal at 6 weeks postpartum without a ramping up period. First of all, did your OB even ask what type of exercise you normally do? What type of intensity you were doing before becoming pregnant? Or what your exercise and fitness goals are after giving birth? All these things need to be taken into consideration when creating an exercise program for a postpartum woman. So, the “advice to be able to resume exercise as you used to” just doesn’t cut it anymore. Did you know there are exercises that you can do in the initial 6 week postpartum period that are not only safe, but should be the standard of care that pretty much every woman should be doing day 1 after getting home from the hospital? That way she will actually be ready to resume her favorite workouts when her OBGYN “clears” her. 

We believe every woman deserves better in the pregnancy and postpartum period and we have made it our mission to reach as many women as possible and help guide them through their journey to optimal health.

Every woman deserves to work with a PT in the postpartum period, preferably a pelvic floor PT.  While a pelvic floor exam is typically ideal at or after 6 weeks, there are so many things you can work on with a pregnancy & postpartum expert like us to be proactive about your health. This will get you feeling better faster, stronger faster, and maybe even a little more like yourself.