This blog post is guest post from our trusted referral, Bridget Ochuko, PT, DPT, MPH at Movement-X. You can learn more about working her by emailing at bridget.ochuko@movement-x.com

Your Body Is Changing—You Deserve Support at Every Stage

Whether you’re dreaming of becoming pregnant, carrying a growing baby, or navigating the early days of postpartum life, your body is doing something extraordinary. Yet, so many people in these seasons find themselves wondering: When should I start pelvic health physical therapy?

The short answer: it’s never too early, and it’s never too late. Pelvic physical therapy can be a supportive, grounding anchor through each phase — helping you feel more confident, connected, and cared for as your body adapts to profound change.

The Question Everyone Asks: When Should I Start Pelvic PT?

Many people hear about pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy but aren’t quite sure when (or why) to begin. You might wonder:

“I’ve heard it’s important when pregnant, but when do I start?”
“If I’m already pregnant, is it too late?”
“If I’ve just given birth, when is it safe to begin?”

Each of these questions comes from the same place — wanting to support your body effectively and holistically. The beautiful truth is that pelvic PT meets you exactly where you are. Whether you’re preparing for conception, supporting your pregnancy, or recovering postpartum, this kind of care helps you understand your body’s current state. It continuously strengthens your ability to move through change and offers strategies to navigate the hormonal and physical shifts that come with each stage.

How Pelvic PT Builds Confidence and Connection

Pelvic health physical therapy provides education, tools, and hands-on care to help you feel more comfortable and confident throughout this entire journey. It’s not just about fixing problems — it’s about supporting your whole system as it adapts, transforms, and ultimately heals.

By beginning at any stage, you can:

Learn how your body moves and functions during times of change
Identify patterns or symptoms that can improve with targeted intervention
Develop confidence in movement and birth preparation
Build a supportive care team tailored to your unique needs

The outcome is empowerment: the reassurance that your body can move, heal, and thrive at every phase of this journey.

Before Pregnancy: Creating the Optimal Environment for New Life

Pelvic PT can help calm your system and create an optimal environment for conception. You’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, release tension, and establish body awareness — all of which support fertility.

Your therapist can also help identify other key players to add to your care team, such as a nutritionist, fertility specialist, acupuncturist, or mental health provider, to name a few.

Many people are surprised to learn that symptoms like pelvic pain, urinary frequency, or bowel changes can begin before pregnancy. Addressing them now helps your body prepare to carry new life with greater comfort and confidence.

During Pregnancy: Supporting a Body in Constant Transition

Pregnancy brings constant shifts in posture, hormones, and pressure systems. Pelvic PT helps you manage:

Hip, back, and abdominal pain from strain and overstretch
Urinary incontinence that may arise as your body changes
Constipation or other bowel issues tied to hormonal shifts
Pelvic floor discomfort due to stretching or ligament changes

Your therapist can offer a personalized movement prescription to support your body’s development while centering you as the birthing person.

For instance, interventions started during pregnancy (antenatal physical therapy) have been shown to improve function and reduce pelvic pain (Richards et al., 2012). Exercise and pelvic floor training during pregnancy also show moderate evidence for reducing urinary incontinence (Ryhtä et al., 2023) and improving pelvic stability (Cureus, 2024).

This stage is also about preparation: learning labor and pushing techniques, understanding birth preferences, and creating a plan that feels right for you. The longer you work with your PT during pregnancy, the more they can get to know your body’s unique patterns — allowing more effective, individualized support as delivery approaches.

After Birth: Healing and Reclaiming Strength Postpartum

Postpartum recovery is one of the most overlooked — yet essential — phases of the perinatal journey. Many new parents aren’t seen by a provider until their six-week check-up, but so much transformation happens before that point.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG, 2020), structured movement and gradual exercise postpartum can safely support recovery and long-term well-being.

Pelvic PT during this time can help with:

Positioning ideas and exercises to support breastfeeding and/or pumping
Managing abdominal or pelvic discomfort following pregnancy, labor, and delivery
Gradual, graded return to physical activity with clear guidance
Addressing any pelvic floor health conditions that arose during fertility, pregnancy, or birth

Having a provider who can see you early — within these six weeks — can make a world of difference. Early visits help catch and address issues before they become long-term concerns, promoting smoother recovery and confidence in your body’s healing.

Your Journey, Your Timing

No matter where you are — preparing for pregnancy, growing new life, or rediscovering your body postpartum — pelvic physical therapy offers a compassionate, evidence-based space to reconnect with yourself.

You deserve to feel seen, supported, and strong in every phase of this journey. It’s never too soon or too late to start.