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Pelvic health for women
Pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy in Shirley, MA
The short answer
Pregnancy and delivery ask a lot of your body. Back and pelvic pain, leaks, a weak core and pain after delivery, including after a c-section, are very common, and they usually come from the changes in posture, hormones and muscles that come with growing and delivering a baby. With the right guidance, most women feel stronger, move without pain and get back to the activities they love.
On this page
What usually causes pain and problems during pregnancy and postpartum
Your body changes a lot in a short time, during pregnancy and after. These are the issues we help with most often.
- Low back and pelvic girdle pain
- Aching in the low back, tailbone, hips or the bone at the front of the pelvis, often worse with walking, stairs or rolling over in bed.
- Bladder leaks and heaviness
- Leaking when you cough or lift, or a heavy feeling in the pelvis, from a pelvic floor that has been stretched and strained.
- Ab separation
- The belly muscles stretch apart to make room for baby. For some women the gap and the weakness linger after delivery.
- Recovery from delivery or a c-section
- Healing tissues, scar tightness and a core that feels disconnected can make everyday tasks hard.
- The demands of caring for a baby
- Feeding, lifting, carrying a car seat and broken sleep put new stress on the neck, back, wrists and shoulders.
When to get it checked
Get checked if you have pain that makes daily life or sleep hard, leaks, pelvic heaviness, pain with intimacy after delivery, or you just do not feel like your body is recovering. We are happy to see you during pregnancy and at any point after, even years later. Call your doctor or midwife right away, or go to the emergency room, if you have vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy, regular cramping or contractions before 37 weeks, your baby is moving less, a bad headache or vision changes, sudden swelling in the face or hands, heavy bleeding or fever after delivery, a painful swollen calf, chest pain or trouble breathing, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Breathe low and wide
- Slow breaths that let your ribs and belly expand gently help reconnect the core and pelvic floor.
- Log roll out of bed
- Roll onto your side and push up with your arms instead of sitting straight up. It is easier on the belly and back.
- Keep baby close when you lift
- Hold your baby or the car seat close to your body and breathe out as you lift.
How we treat pregnancy and postpartum issues at Whole Health Solutions
Your pelvic health therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish, in a private room. We listen to your story, check how your pelvic floor, core, hips and back are working, and build a plan around your stage of pregnancy or recovery and your goals.
01
Relieve
Hands on care, positioning tips and gentle movement to ease back, pelvic and c-section scar pain.
02
Rebuild
Reconnect and strengthen the pelvic floor and core, safely and at the right pace, so lifting and carrying your baby feels easier.
03
Perform
A steady return to walking, running, lifting and the workouts you love. When you are ready, our personal trainers take it from there.
04
Thrive
Stay strong through every season of life, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond, with a team that already knows your story.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
Common exercises for pregnancy and postpartum
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for pregnancy and postpartum. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our pelvic health therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about pregnancy and postpartum all the time.
Read more from our team
Blog posts and newsletter tips from our clinicians that go with pregnancy and postpartum.
- BlogThe Symptoms Women Are Told to Accept After Kids (And Which Ones Are Actually Fixable)Sep 15, 2026
- BlogThe Complete Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Shirley MA: What It Helps and What to ExpectOct 29, 2025
- BlogWhat Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, and Why Every Woman Should Know About ItMay 2, 2025
Services that help
Pelvic Health and TherapyPersonal TrainingWeight Loss/Health CoachingVirtual Therapy and Training★★★★★
"I highly recommend doing pelvic floor PT here for all postpartum mamas to help the healing processes along!"
Talk to a pelvic health therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about pregnancy and postpartum
When can I start pelvic floor therapy after giving birth?
Many women start around their six week checkup once their doctor or midwife says it is okay, and sooner for gentle breathing and posture work. It is also never too late. We see women months and years after delivery.
Is it safe to see a physical therapist while pregnant?
Yes. Physical therapy is safe during pregnancy and can help with back and pelvic pain, prepare your body for delivery, and keep you active.
When can I return to running after having a baby?
It depends on your delivery and how your pelvic floor and core are recovering. Many women are not ready until at least three months after birth. We check your strength and build a step by step plan to get you there.
Do I need a referral for pregnancy and postpartum care?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our pelvic health therapists.
Visit us
Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.