Common Pelvic Floor Issues During Pregnancy And How To Address Them
Key TakeawayS:
Pelvic Floor Changes During Pregnancy: Pregnancy significantly impacts the pelvic floor muscles, but understanding these changes can empower effective management and intervention.
Key Risk Factors: Risk factors such as hormonal changes, increased pressure from weight gain, and previous births can exacerbate pelvic floor issues, highlighting the importance of proactive pelvic health strategies during pregnancy.
Prevention And Recovery: Engaging in specialized pelvic floor exercises can enhance wellness and support postpartum healing, providing long-term benefits and a smoother transition to motherhood.
Pregnancy is a time of transformation — physically, emotionally, and mentally. While a majority of the attention is given to your baby’s development, one area that deserves equal focus is your pelvic floor. These muscles form the foundation of your core, supporting the bladder, uterus, and bowel. Yet, they’re often overlooked until discomfort, leakage, or heaviness become hard to ignore. Pelvic floor issues during pregnancy are incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean they have to be your “new normal.” From urinary incontinence and pelvic pain to prolapse and pressure, these symptoms are signs your body is calling for support. The good news? With expert guidance and targeted interventions, these issues are manageable.
At Blair Mauri Pelvic Health, Blair Mauri, MS, OTR/L, specializes in in-home pelvic floor therapy for expectant and postpartum women in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. In this article, we’ll break down the most common pelvic floor challenges that show up during pregnancy, why they happen, and the personalized strategies Blair uses to help you feel stronger, more supported, and more confident in your changing body.
How Pregnancy Affects Pelvic Floor Muscles
Pregnancy is a transformative journey, full of changes, joys, and challenges. In particular, it places increasing pressure on your pelvic floor: a group of muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. As your body nurtures new life, this essential hammock endures significant stress and adapts to accommodate your growing baby. Understanding the effect on the pelvic floor can empower you to better manage this journey.
The Risks Of An Untreated Pelvic Floor
Hormonal changes, particularly the rise of relaxin and progesterone, loosen ligaments and joints in preparation for delivery, which can compromise pelvic stability and muscle tone. This leads to a greater risk for developing issues such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, or a feeling of heaviness. When these muscles become weakened and/or overly tense, it can affect your daily life and overall well-being.
Pelvic Floor Therapy offers a targeted way to manage these changes. By improving muscle coordination, promoting mobility, learning relaxing strategies, and supporting overall pelvic function, therapy can help prevent discomfort and reduce the risk of long-term complications. If you’re interested in pursuing this path, let Blair Mauri be your partner during this journey. She is a knowledgeable and compassionate licensed Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience, and she focuses on serving pre and postnatal communities. She offers in-home Pelvic Floor Therapy throughout Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Cobble Hill to promote muscle awareness, address dysfunction early, and prepare the body for a smoother delivery and postpartum recovery.
Risk Factors For Pelvic Floor Issues
While are getting caught up in the excitement of welcoming a new family member, remember that it’s still important to take care of your changing body. While your pelvic floor muscles are built to adapt, certain risk factors can increase the chance of dysfunction, discomfort, or pain. Knowledge is the first step towards effective management and mitigation. Here are some common risk factors that might contribute to pelvic floor challenges:
Increased Pressure And Weight: During pregnancy, the growing uterus and baby put additional pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. This can stretch and weaken these muscles over time, leading to dysfunction. It can also lead to increased pelvic floor tension as your pelvic floor tries to accommodate for the weight of your growing uterus. This can lead to symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful sex (dyspareunia), incontinence or constipation, and it can also make a vaginal birth more difficult as the pelvic floor lacks the ability to relax.
Hormonal Changes: The release of hormones like relaxin and estrogen softens the ligaments and connective tissues to prepare the body for birth. While necessary, this can reduce pelvic stability and increase the risk of strain or injury. It can also contribute to slow digestion or constipation, increasing the pressure on your pelvic floor.
Changes In Posture And Body Mechanics: As your center of gravity shifts, your body naturally adapts with new movement patterns and postural changes. These adjustments can create muscular imbalances that create pain or discomfort as well as place added stress on the pelvic floor.
Previous Pelvic Injuries Or Surgeries: A history of pelvic trauma, abdominal surgeries, or unresolved pelvic floor issues can heighten the likelihood of dysfunction during pregnancy.
Genetic Predisposition: Like many health conditions, genetics can play a role. If pelvic floor dysfunction runs in your family, you may be more susceptible to experiencing similar issues during your own pregnancy.
Previous Pregnancies: Muscles that have been stretched or weakened in past pregnancies may not have fully recovered, which can compound pelvic floor challenges with each subsequent pregnancy.
Birth Trauma: Prolonged labor, instrumental delivery (forceps or vacuum), or tearing can increase the load on pelvic tissues and delay healing, making proactive preparation even more essential. Existing perineal scarring is more likely to tear during a second vaginal birth.
Lifestyle And Health Factors: Conditions like chronic constipation, limited physical activity, or obesity can put persistent strain on the pelvic floor, increasing the risk of dysfunction before or during pregnancy.
Recognizing these risk factors early enables you to seek personalized support and intervention. With tailored care — such as Pelvic Floor Therapy through Blair Mauri Pelvic Health — you can strengthen, protect, and prepare your body for a more comfortable pregnancy and smoother postpartum recovery.
Common Pelvic Floor Issues During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings remarkable changes to the body, and the pelvic floor often bears much of that weight. When this group of muscles is affected, it can lead to a range of symptoms. Knowing what’s common can help you take proactive steps toward comfort.
Urinary Incontinence: Increased pressure from the growing uterus can weaken and/or tighten pelvic floor muscles, often leading to leakage with coughing, sneezing, or physical activity (known as stress incontinence).
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The weight and downward pressure of pregnancy may cause pelvic organs to shift lower, creating a feeling of heaviness, bulging, or pressure in the pelvic region. This may or may not be accompanied by bladder or bowel symptoms (leakage, constipation, feelings of incomplete emptying)
Pelvic Pain Or Discomfort: Hormonal shifts, postural changes, and muscle imbalances can lead to general pelvic discomfort, pubic symphysis pain, sciatic pain, low back pain, or sacroiliac joint strain.
Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation): While this involves the abdominal muscles, it directly impacts pelvic floor function due to reduced core support and pressure management.
Urinary Urgency And Frequency: Hormonal changes and pressure on the bladder can cause a frequent or urgent need to urinate, which may worsen without proper pelvic floor coordination.
Constipation And Bowel Strain: Slow digestion and increased abdominal pressure can make constipation common, placing added strain on pelvic floor muscles.
Painful Sex (dyspareunia): Increased tension in the pelvic floor muscles as well as hormonal changes that can cause vaginal dryness may contribute to painful sexual activity during pregnancy.
While these symptoms can feel frustrating, many women experience them, so you’re not alone. More importantly, they’re treatable. Understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step toward feeling informed during your pregnancy.
The Benefits Of Pelvic Floor Therapy For Pregnant Women
Blair Mauri Pelvic Health provides personalized, in-home Pelvic Floor Therapy designed specifically to meet the changing needs of pregnant women. Serving clients throughout Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, and Tribeca, Blair brings expert care directly to your home. This eliminates the stress of commuting to a doctor’s office and offers unmatched privacy. This way, you can settle down and fully reconnect with your body in a space that feels safe and familiar.
What Pelvic Floor Therapy Treats
Blair’s therapy sessions address key prenatal challenges such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, and pelvic pressure by using exercises that focus on building strength, guiding relaxation, coordination, and control. These exercises are more than just routine workouts; they’re functional, intentional movements guided by a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience and advanced training in pelvic health.
Pregnancy-Specific Services
In addition to treating symptoms, Blair also offers specialized birth preparation services to support a smoother labor and delivery. These include:
Pelvic and Uterine Mobility: Encouraging uterine mobility optimizes fetal positioning by improving the flexibility and alignment of the uterine ligaments. The mobility of the pelvic bones is crucial for supporting a vaginal birth, as these bones must shift significantly as the baby descends during labor.
Perineal Massage: Reduces the risk of tearing during childbirth by increasing tissue elasticity and preparing the perineum for stretching.
Push Coaching Learning how to push using the breath and deep core can reduce the risk of tearing by decreasing pressure upon the pelvic floor and perineum.
Birth Partner Support: Blair will communicate with any and all of your birth partners to make personalized suggestions for labor and pushing based on your anatomy.
Postpartum Planning: Having a plan for the 4th trimester will help recovery feel less overwhelming in the first few days and weeks after birth (cesarean or vaginal). Whether it’s having certain items on hand or learning early breathwork to re-engage your core and pelvic floor, Blair has you covered.
This approach not only improves your comfort during pregnancy but also sets the stage for easier postpartum recovery — whether you deliver vaginally or via cesarean.
Therapy Tailored To Your Needs
Each session is 100% customized to your goals, symptoms, and lifestyle. And because Blair operates under an out-of-network model, she’s able to provide longer, more comprehensive sessions that often lead to fewer total visits and faster results. Additionally, HSA funds are accepted, and superbills can be provided for out-of-network reimbursement.
With Blair’s in-home care, you’re building resilience, thoughtfully preparing for birth, and strengthening your connection to your body every step of the way. If you’re ready to take control of your pelvic health, book your free discovery call today!
Final Thoughts
Pelvic Floor Therapy is not just about addressing immediate concerns; it's about equipping you with the knowledge and skills to embrace your body's innate healing powers. With over 15 years of experience and specialized training, Blair Mauri is dedicated to providing comprehensive in-home therapy services tailored specifically to you. By choosing a personalized care model, you open yourself to improved healing outcomes and quicker recovery, all delivered with warmth and understanding.
Remember, you deserve to feel empowered and supported, no matter which trimester you’re in. Blair’s mission is to help you take charge of your wellness, so you can fully engage in the parts of life that are most meaningful to you. Reach out today to begin your empowering journey toward health and recovery.
Read more:
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Support A Healthy Pregnancy And Easier Recovery
C-Section Recovery In Cobble Hill: The Role Of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Recovering From Pelvic Floor Pain After Birth With Brooklyn Heights-Based Care
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Issues Pregnancy
Can pelvic floor issues affect labor and delivery?
Yes, pelvic floor issues can potentially affect labor and delivery. A weakened or overly tight pelvic floor may influence the duration of labor and pushing . relaxing these muscles through therapeutic strategies and exercises can promote a smoother experience, minimizing complications and enhancing recovery.
When should I start pelvic floor exercises in pregnancy?
It's beneficial to begin pelvic floor exercises as soon as you become aware of your pregnancy, or even beforehand if possible. If you have a pelvic floor, you can benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy, so you don’t have to be pregnant to start! Regularly practicing these exercises throughout your pregnancy can help maintain muscle function , flexibility, and support, easing pregnancy pains and preparing your body for childbirth.
Can pelvic floor issues be prevented during pregnancy?
While not all pelvic floor issues can be entirely prevented, you can lower the risk by maintaining a balanced exercise routine that includes gentle stretches, deep breathing techniques, strengthening, and proper posture. Regular Pelvic Floor Therapy sessions with guidance from a professional like Blair Mauri can also contribute to prevention while educating you on how to move safely during this time.
Are pelvic floor issues permanent after pregnancy?
With appropriate intervention and care, pelvic floor issues don’t have to be permanent. They can sometimes be significantly improved or even resolved after pregnancy. Engaging in Pelvic Floor Therapy and implementing recommended practices can aid in restoring pelvic health, allowing you to gradually regain function and participate in your favorite activities again.
How soon after birth can I start pelvic floor rehabilitation?
Pelvic floor rehabilitation can typically begin as early as a few days postpartum, depending on individual circumstances and your doctor's advice. Blair Mauri offers personalized guidance tailored to your specific recovery needs, ensuring a safe and effective approach to regaining pelvic floor strength.
What lifestyle changes can support pelvic floor health during pregnancy?
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is always a great way to build a solid foundation for your pelvic floor. This includes ample hydration, balanced nutrition, mindful movement, proper lifting techniques, and using good toiletry habits. Incorporating stress-reducing practices such as yoga or meditation can also positively influence pelvic floor health. Collaborating with a dedicated Occupational Therapist that specializes in Pelvic Floor Therapy can provide further personalized recommendations that align with your lifestyle and health goals.
