Pelvic Floor Therapy in Pregnancy

Why Seeing a Physiotherapist Matters

Pregnancy is a time of remarkable change—physically, emotionally, and hormonally. Your body adapts in incredible ways to support the growth of new life: hormone levels rise, your pelvis shifts, and organ systems reorganize to accommodate both you and baby. Amidst all this, your pelvic floor remains crucial for stability, continence, sexual function, and postpartum recovery. That’s where pelvic floor therapy with a physiotherapist becomes an invaluable part of your prenatal care.

The Pregnancy Puzzle: What’s Changing and Why It Matters

  • Hormonal Shifts: Relaxin, estrogen, and progesterone surge. Relaxin and estrogen increase ligament laxity and widen the pelvis, while progesterone can relax smooth muscles—causing symptoms like constipation.

  • Anatomical Adjustments: As your baby grows, changes in blood volume, immune modulation, and even brain remodeling occur. Your abdominal muscles are able to make space for your belly to expand because of the increased laxity in that central tendon of your six-pack (the linea alba).

  • The pelvic floor navigates these shifts, playing an essential role in stability, function, and comfort.


The Power of Exercise During Pregnancy

Regular movement—150 minutes of moderate activity per week—is strongly encouraged and is associated with:

  • Lower risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, urinary incontinence, and back/pelvic pain

  • Greater likelihood of vaginal delivery

  • Better mental health and even improved pain tolerance during labor

  • In many cases, the risk of not exercising outweighs the risks of exercising, making movement both safe and beneficial

Why Pelvic Floor Therapy with a Physiotherapist Makes a Difference

Prevent Common Concerns: Up to 25% of women experience pelvic floor issues during pregnancy—like pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence (even when sneezing, coughing, or exercising), or sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor dysfunction often results from a mismatch: the demands on core stability exceed pelvic floor strength or resilience.

Skilled Support & Personalized Care:

  • Physiotherapists provide thorough assessments—tailoring treatment to your unique needs.

  • Therapy can strengthen pelvic floor muscles, improve mindfulness, and enhance functional support during pregnancy and delivery.

Long-Term Benefits:

  • Prevents dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum

  • Supports smoother recovery, confidence, and functional resilience after birth.

At Crafted Balance Clinic, our approach connects pelvic floor therapy with broader prenatal care:

  • Combines physiotherapy, naturopathic guidance, and tailored birth preparation plans.

  • We support your mindset, help manage symptoms, optimize nutrients, and build core strength and function for pregnancy and postpartum life.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're navigating pelvic floor changes or want to proactively support your body during pregnancy, consider booking a pelvic floor physiotherapy session. Early intervention equips you with awareness, strength, and confidence to move through pregnancy—with greater ease, comfort, and control.

Our physiotherapist, Katie Allward, PT as well as our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Fiona Callender, ND are trained to help you navigate this unique and exciting time in your life.



Pelvic Health, pregnancyFiona CallenderPelvic Health