Perinatal Care

Physical Therapy for Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

We are highly trained and experienced in providing care during pregnancy and postpartum.

Your care should be tailored to your unique needs, keeping your history and future goals in mind. You’ll find exactly this at Chicago Physical Therapists! We are experienced in Physical Therapy during pregnancy, for birth preparation and postpartum recovery.

Pregnancy

Physical Therapy for Pregnancy

Support for Expecting Parents

Physical Therapy during pregnancy can help a range of issues! Plus, our PT’s work alongside you to help prepare your body for labor and delivery. Your preparations will be tailored to your needs whether you have planned a cesarean or aim for a vaginal delivery.

When is PT needed during pregnancy?

•Bladder or bladder issues

•Nerve pain

•Ligament pain

•Difficult previous births or tearing during delivery

•Endometriosis

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Getting to the bottom of issues now will set you up for a smoother postpartum recovery (more on that below).

We are seeing amazing results when women come in early during their recovery after any birth. We would like to meet with you as soon as possible if you’re having a lot of pain with mobility which is a special circumstance. An initial post-birth meeting within the first 10-14 days can be live or virtual. At this visit we will help check on your body alignment, breathing pattern and encourage safe, functional movement to aid in your healing. There’s no forma exercise at this visit as you’re not medically cleared for exercise but many providers encourage women to get started on their rehabilitation much earlier than they used to and we have seen the benefits of this over the past few years!

If your medical provider (MD, DO, PA, APN, CNM) doesn’t recommend PT and you want to come in, just give them a call and ask. If you’re referred at your 6 week appointment, try to call us right away so we can make your appointment a priority.

Postpartum

Professional Support During Your Postpartum Recovery

We treat patients days to years (and decades!) after having a baby.

What are some signs I need postpartum physical therapy?

•Urinary or fecal incontinence

•Pelvic pain - back pain

•Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) or a feeling of heaviness or pressure

•Diastasis Rectus Abdominis

•Painful intercourse

•Tearing during delivery

When should I go in for postpartum Physical Therapy?

Ideally, we like to see you within the first week after you give birth. We can review your birth, help you reconnect with your abdominals and pelvic floor, and bring relief to other areas of your body that need it. We are seeing such great results when people come in early after giving birth (note: no internal exams during this stage of recovery until you have clearance from your midwife or OB). It makes a world of difference to identify issues early and stop them before they cause a cascade of tension or coping mechanisms throughout the body.

Then, we recommend one appointment each week for the first six weeks.

After you receive clearance from your OB or Midwife for exercise and sex, we aim to see patients two times each week from 6 weeks postpartum onward as needed. During this time we can guide you back into more movement and exercise safely.

What To Know About Postpartum Physical Therapy

What is a session like?

This depends on how long ago you gave birth, what issues you are having and what your individual goals are. Your physical therapist works with you one-on-one for your entire session. We have private treatment rooms and a gym to accommodate varying needs throughout your recovery.

Can I bring my baby?

Yes! You are welcome to bring your baby to your physical therapy sessions. Some moms enjoy this and some moms prefer to get a cup of coffee before their session and be able to focus solely on their recovery during their session. It is completely up to you.

What if I have a trauma history?

Our team has been trained in treating patients who have experienced trauma and do everything in our power to help you feel comfortable. An extensive history is taken at your intitial visit. It is up to your discretion when, how and how much you share.

Will I need to do exercises?

One great benefit of physical therapy with us is that our approach is so individualized to your needs. We do not have a set program we work everyone through. Instead, we prescribe specific exercises to help you individually. And you’ll see the best results faster if you do your part at home.

Do you do internal exams?

Your therapist works with you in any way you feel comfortable. For cases that it is indicated such as bladder leakage or painful scars and endometriosis. Checking the PFM can be very helpful for DRA, back, and hip concerns to address pain or tension or lack of strength or coordination in the pelvic floor. We are sure to check in with you during your appointment before a pelvic exam to make sure it is a good day for it. Don’t cancel if you’re on your period as there are always many external things to work on.

Did I wait too long to get PT?

Not at all! We treat anywhere from days after birth to years and even decades postpartum! It’s never “too late” to seek help. Physical therapy can be part of your support and recovery at whatever stage you are at!

 

Women’s Health Conditions We Treat:

Postpartum

  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA)

  • Post C-Section

  • Post Episiotomy/Perineal Scar

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • “Pelvic Pressure”

  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness

  • Dyspareunia (pain with sex) or fear of attempting intercourse post-birth

  • Return to fitness/ run

  • Urinary Incontinence (Stress or Urge),

  • Fecal Incontinence: Bowel Urgency

  • Urinary Frequency/Urgency

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain

  • Back and SI Joint pain

  • Pubic Symphysis Separation

  • Levator Ani Syndrome

  • Deconditioning after prolonged bedrest

Pregnancy

  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA)

  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain

  • Sacroiliac Joint Pain

  • Coccydynia (Tailbone pain)

  • VBAC Preparation (regarding positioning/breath work and Pelvic floor release)

  • Constipation (often PFM related)

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Pregnancy Pain (Back, Rib, SI, Pubic Symphysis, Pelvic)

  • “Sciatica”

  • Rib and Thoracic Dysfunction

  • Joint Laxity

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Disc Injury

Pelvic Pain

  • Endometriosis

  • Post C-Section

  • Post Episiotomy/Perineal Scar Pain and Weakness

  • Vaginismus

  • Dyspareunia (pain with sex)

  • Pudendal Nerve Entrapment

  • Vulvodynia

  • Vulvar Vestibulitis

  • Lichen Planus

  • Lichen Sclerosis

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain

  • Levator Ani Syndrome

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Iliopsoas Pain

  • “Sciatica”

  • Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction

  • Osteoporosis

Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

  • Episiotomy/Perineal Tear

  • Vaginismus

  • Dyspareunia (pain with sex)

  • Pudendal Nerve Entrapment

  • Vulvodynia, Vulvar Vestibulitis

  • Pelvic Girdle Pain

  • Pubic Symphysis Pain

  • Levator Ani Syndrome

  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominis

  • Pelvic Pressure

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Urinary Incontinence (Stress or Urge)

  • Fecal Incontinence

  • Bowel Urgency

  • Urinary Frequency/Urgency

Bowel and Bladder:

  • Urinary Incontinence (Stress or Urge)

  • Fecal Incontinence

  • Bowel Urgency or Incomplete Emptying

  • Urinary Frequency/Urgency

  • Painful Bladder Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)

  • Chronic UTI

  • Constipation

  • Coccydynia (Tailbone pain)

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

  • Pediatric Constipation

  • Pediatric Fecal or Urinary Incontinence

Post-Surgical treatment: 

  • Hysterectomy

  • Mastectomy

  • Post Laparoscopy For Endometriosis

  • Bladder and Bowel Surgeries Such As Sacrocolpopexy

  • Bladder Sling Surgeries For Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Incontinence