What Does Getting Cleared at 6-weeks Postpartum Actually Mean?
At Foundations Pelvic Health in Boston, we are a team of perinatal and pelvic floor physical therapy specialists. We are dedicated to guiding women through their postpartum recovery and supporting them through the fourth trimester and beyond!
We often hear from our postpartum patients: ‘I was cleared at my 6-week follow-up with my OBgyn, but I’m not sure what I can safely do” - let’s dive in: The 6-week postpartum clearance from your OB or midwife is often viewed as the greenlight to fully return to activity, but let’s take a deeper look into what your OB is assessing for vs. what your pelvic floor PT can help with!
What is the 6-week OBgyn Postpartum Clearance?
At about 6 weeks postpartum, usually bleeding has stopped, incisions and stitches have healed, and your uterus, vagina and cervix have returned to their pre-pregnancy size. Pending those, your OBgyn will clear you to return to all activity and intercourse - however, we like to mention this is just a starting point!
Your OB is ensuring appropriate healing of the tissue, checking for any medical issues, and also providing birth control options - but they are not assessing for strength of your abdominals, back/hip, or pelvic floor muscles.
Your pelvic floor physical therapist will be the best provider to assess for those muscles! Each individual will have a different readiness level for return to activity and for return to intercourse, so having that assessment from a pelvic floor PT can be so helpful to get you started and set up with a progressive plan.
Our pelvic floor PT in our Boston office assesses for appropriate core activation with a postpartum mama.
Your First Postpartum Pelvic Floor PT visit:
Our Boston clinic offers virtual visits before your 6-week OB postpartum visit, as there is a lot happening those first few weeks! We are there to talk through your birth experience, offer gentle stretches to promote healing and mobility, and start the foundation for your postpartum recovery. We discuss new goals and review any concerns about bladder and bowel health, core and pelvic floor re-connection, pain, and more. Your pelvic floor PT will provide activity recommendations based on your symptoms - encouraging gentle movement, increased walking endurance, and increasing your core activation.
Your first in-person postpartum visit at Foundations Pelvic Health will be very different from your 6-week appointment with your OB or midwife. Your pelvic floor PT will spend an hour with you at your first visit at Foundations Pelvic Health. We review your overall goals for the postpartum period and beyond, then provide you with an individualized plan to get you there.
Our Pelvic Floor PT Postpartum Exam:
While your OB is assessing for appropriate healing and making sure there are no medical concerns, our pelvic floor PT will assess for the following:
pelvic floor muscle strength
pelvic floor muscle coordination or tightness
core strength
proper lifting mechanics
low back pain
C-section or perineal scar tissue recovery
pelvic pain
hip, glute, back strength & mobility
screen for bladder, bowel and sexual health concerns
Your pelvic floor PT can help guide you through each step of the way to ensure that you are strengthening appropriately, returning to higher levels of activity safely, and managing any fears/emotions/pain related to return to intercourse.
From this assessment, we will create a plan to help you reach your goals - whether it’s safely getting back into running, lifting up your toddler without pain, returning to pain-free intimacy, or staying dry in your favorite workout class!
Supporting your Postpartum Recovery
Our pelvic floor PTs work with women throughout their postpartum recovery to keep you strong and moving. We love to support during your postpartum recovery to help you get back into doing the things you love safely!