The Fourth Trimester By Sara Reardon PT, DPT, WCS, is a board-certified Pelvic Health Physical Therapist
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es, there’s one more trimester that’s not often talked about. It’s the first three months of a baby’s life and the first three months of a mother’s recovery after pregnancy and birth. Life as a new mom can be many things: 24
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exciting, stressful, and overwhelming. In those first few months as you try to settle into an “eat, play, sleep” routine with your newborn, how you are recovering as a mom can be an afterthought. There are many symptoms you may experience that you’re either too tired or embarrassed to discuss. What’s normal? Not just for your baby, but for yourself? During pregnancy, a woman's pelvis goes through a lot of changes:
ligaments soften, muscles stretch, and posture changes. The act of childbirth can mean surgery or perineal tearing, adding another layer of physical changes. Complications can unexpectedly lead to pelvic floor problems that often go unaddressed, like urinary leakage, painful intercourse, or back pain.
Returning to Routines
“When can I return to exercise and
