Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Clinically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Clampett, PT, DPT — March 2025
What is the pelvic floor?
Your pelvic floor includes the muscles that support your bladder, uterus, vagina, and bowel.
During pregnancy, your growing uterus stretches your pelvic floor muscles and increases pressure on the surrounding organs. This strain may lead to pelvic pain and conditions such as:
- Urinary incontinence (accidental leaking of urine)
- Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder or uterus drops into vagina)
- Rectal prolapse (rectum drops into anus)
Your body also releases a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy. This loosens the pelvic joints and ligaments (the connective tissue between bones) to allow a baby to pass through the birth canal. That loosening increases the strain on the pelvic floor muscles.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT)?
This therapy is a type of treatment focusing on strengthening and rehabilitating the pelvic floor. It can also be effective at reducing pelvic pain and discomfort.
PFPT includes exercises like long and short contractions of your pelvic floor muscles. Plus, exercises to ensure you are properly coordinating the timing of those muscle contractions.
Common pelvic floor exercises include:
- Pelvic floor lengthening
- Kegels
- Bridge pose
- Squats
- Pelvic tilts
- Bird dog
- Long and short squeezes
A physical therapist can create a treatment plan that includes a variety of exercises based on your needs. They provide education, manual therapy, breathing and posture training, and functional exercises too.
Importance of PFPT pre- and post-birth
Before birth
PFPT focuses on exercises that help these muscles remain strong throughout pregnancy. It can also help you identify, engage, and lengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which are necessary for birthing. With a stronger connection to these muscles, you can push more effectively and lower your chances of difficulties during labor and delivery.
After birth
Childbirth, whether vaginal or by C-section, has a big impact on the pelvic floor. Vaginal birth can stretch pelvic floor muscles and tissues. C-sections can also damage the pelvic floor due to the abdominal trauma caused by surgery.
Bottom line
PFPT can lessen the chance of pelvic organ prolapse and chronic urinary incontinence by addressing these challenges early on. After childbirth, the therapy can improve muscle strength, tone, and coordination and help with healing and increasing sexual function.
If you have questions, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.
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