Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Incontinence, sharp pains, unclear bladder cues, oh my! Birth has a tendency to really shake things up in your pelvic floor. Oftentimes, people can be left with more concerns than they know what to do with. It’s important to know that there are absolutely tools for support and a path to healing, with the proper guidance. Continue following along to learn how you can get support for your pelvic health.
Why is Pelvic Health Important?
If you have given birth recently or are preparing for your labor, you’ve probably heard the term “pelvic floor” more times than you can count. But what is your pelvic floor and why is it important? The muscles that operate in the pelvic floor are responsible for the well-being and functionality of the major organs in that area, which include the bladder, bowels, and reproductive anatomy [Mayo Clinic, 2025]. As you can imagine, these organs are quite integral when it comes to almost every aspect of life, and there is special emphasis placed on this area during labor, birth, and postpartum preparations - and for good reason!
While oftentimes, these muscles and organs are operating automatically and perform their roles with little thought involvement, unfortunately, birth can sometimes disrupt those established internal systems. It’s important to keep in mind that every person’s physical anatomy is different, which can result in different responses to your individual pelvic health and organs. Experiencing disruptions and discomfort to your pelvic floor during pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum, can be extremely common, however is not always normal. Because of this, working with a trained Pelvic Floor therapist who specializes in pregnant and postpartum bodies is key to the path of recovery.
Benefits of working with a specialist that focuses on Postpartum Recovery
Pelvic Floor support is a wide spectrum and there are many avenues for seeking guidance. Unfortunately, the standardized curriculums only scratch the surface when educating future providers to properly support pregnant and postpartum bodies. More often than not, providers who have a keen passion and interest in working with birthing persons often have to seek additional specialized training and certifications in order to properly care for the wide array of diverse experiences of the pelvic floor during those stages.
Because of how nuanced and specific some of the concerns can be, people can sometimes meet dead ends when attempting to seek support from general practitioners who have not undergone that specialised training and may even end up with more complications down the line. When you work with a specialized provider, you can be assured that professional has gone out of their way to triple ensure that all interventions and treatment plans are conducive with the current season of your life. Continue reading below to hear from a trusted community provider about what pelvic floor support might look like for you!
What Pelvic Floor Therapy Can look like, featuring Stephanie Huffman, Occupational Therapist
Pelvic floor therapy at Maternity Guru is rooted in a philosophy of proactive care. Rather than waiting for signs of dysfunction to seek support, my goal is to help you connect with your pelvic floor and develop a deep understanding of its role during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I provide 1:1 proactive pregnancy and guided recovery sessions that are tailored to you and cover topics like exercise programming and labor preparation.
I also provide proactive care through private and semi-private Reformer Pilates classes. Each class offers a baby-friendly, pelvic floor and core-centered, whole-body workout aimed at supporting the physical changes that occur during pregnancy and postpartum while optimizing your pelvic floor health.
For those already experiencing a specific pelvic floor concern—including leakage, heaviness, pelvic pain, or diastasis recti—I provide 1:1 pelvic floor therapy in the comfort of your home. Each new client begins with a comprehensive 90-minute evaluation, followed by a personalized treatment plan developed using both evidence-based best practices and clinical expertise to achieve lasting resolution to your symptoms.
Regardless of when you seek support, my aim is always to help you continue doing or return to doing the activities that are most important to you while feeling connected, strong and empowered!
Stephanie Huffman, MS, OTR/L, PCES, CLC, Schedule a call with Stephanie HERE!
Wondering where to find a doula near you? Look no further! One Love provides comprehensive support for expectant and new parents in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Land O’ Lakes, Lakeland, Plant City, Downtown Tampa, and beyond.
Our services include Tampa doula support, day of doula, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, in-home postpartum doula care, specialized lactation support by our CLC’s and IBCLC’s, and sleep training!
Plus, we offer virtual services to accommodate your needs. Let's embark on your amazing birth and postpartum journey together!
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