Postpartum Recovery

Your body undergoes remarkable changes during pregnancy and childbirth. At Mendwell, we understand that postpartum recovery is about more than just "bouncing back" – it's about helping you feel strong, confident, and comfortable in your transformed body. Our specialized pelvic floor physical therapists in Portland provide expert, compassionate care to support your postpartum pelvic health journey.

Common Postpartum Conditions We Treat

The postpartum period brings unique challenges that can impact your daily life and well-being. Our experienced therapists commonly treat:

• Diastasis recti (abdominal wall separation)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Urinary incontinence or bladder control issues
• Pain during intercourse
• C-section or perineal scar tissue concerns
• Back, hip, or pelvic pain
• Core weakness and instability
• Blocked milk ducts

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps Postpartum Recovery

Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy offers a holistic approach to healing and recovery. Through personalized one-on-one treatment sessions, we help you:

• ‍Restore Core Function: Pregnancy and delivery can significantly impact your core muscles and pelvic floor. Our therapists work with you to safely rebuild strength and coordination in these essential muscle groups, helping you return to daily activities with confidence.
• Address Pain & Discomfort: Whether you're experiencing pain from childbirth, C-section recovery, or the physical demands of caring for a newborn, we utilize various therapeutic techniques to reduce discomfort and promote healing.
• Improve Bladder Control: Stress incontinence is common after pregnancy, but it doesn't have to be your new normal. We provide targeted exercises and strategies to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and regain bladder control.
• Support Breastfeeding: Our specialized care includes treatment for blocked milk ducts and positioning guidance to help prevent muscle strain while nursing or bottle-feeding.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your postpartum recovery journey at Mendwell begins with a comprehensive evaluation in a private, comfortable setting. Our approach includes:

1. Thorough Assessment: We'll discuss your pregnancy, delivery experience, current symptoms, and recovery goals.
2. Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on your evaluation, we'll create a customized plan that may include:
   • Manual therapy techniques
   • Targeted exercise programs
   • Postural education
   • Scar tissue management
   • Lifestyle and activity modifications
3. Ongoing Support: We provide education and tools to help you continue your recovery at home, empowering you to take an active role in your healing process.

When to Start Postpartum Physical Therapy

While many patients begin treatment after their 6-week postpartum check-up, we can often start addressing certain concerns earlier. Every recovery journey is unique, and we'll work with you and your healthcare providers to determine the optimal timing for beginning treatment.

Postpartum Recovery Case Study

Postpartum Mom Who Wanted to Run Again

One of our favorite success stories involves a young mom who loved jogging but stopped after having her baby because of leakage. She thought pads were just part of motherhood.

After her evaluation, we found weakened and poorly coordinated pelvic muscles. We built a plan that combined diaphragmatic breathing, low-impact strengthening, and bladder-training techniques. Six weeks later, she sent us a picture from the trail — no pads, no leakage, just pure freedom.

Expert Care in a Supportive Environment

At Mendwell, we understand that postpartum recovery involves both physical and emotional aspects. Our trauma-informed therapists provide care in a private, welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable discussing your concerns. We welcome babies to appointments and can provide complementary supervision during your session so you can focus on your recovery.