The Truth About Pelvic Floor Pain During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy and childbirth transform a woman’s body in profound and powerful ways—but they also introduce unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to pelvic floor pain. Despite how common pelvic discomfort is during and after pregnancy, many women are told to ignore it, tolerate it, or expect it to disappear on its own.

At YourFormSux (YFS), we help Canadian women navigate the physical changes of pregnancy and postpartum with personalized physiotherapy support. Pelvic floor pain is not something to suffer through—it’s something you can treat, manage, and recover from. Let’s break down the truth behind this misunderstood issue and what you can do about it.

Understanding the Pelvic Floor During Pregnancy

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the uterus, bladder, and bowel. During pregnancy, it works overtime:

Supporting the increasing weight of your growing baby

Managing the hormonal effects of relaxin and progesterone, which soften tissues

Adjusting to shifting posture and spinal alignment

Stabilizing your core as your abdominal wall stretches

As the load increases, your pelvic floor may become either overly tight from working too hard, or fatigued from being stretched. Both can result in pain.

Common types of pelvic floor pain during pregnancy include:

Deep pelvic or vaginal aching

Tailbone pain or coccyx sensitivity

Pubic symphysis pain (pain in the front of the pelvis)

Pain with walking, turning in bed, or getting out of a car

Pelvic pressure or a heavy sensation with standing

This pain is not “just part of the process.” It’s a clear signal your body needs support.

The Role of Physiotherapy During Pregnancy

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can relieve pain and improve function without medication or invasive treatment. Through gentle, pregnancy-safe methods, your physiotherapist can:

Release tension in tight pelvic floor muscles

Improve mobility in the hips, sacrum, and lower back

Teach breathwork to reduce pressure buildup

Support posture as your body adapts to new weight distribution

Provide strategies for moving, sleeping, and lifting without triggering pain

When addressed early, these techniques reduce pain, prevent long-term dysfunction, and prepare your body for birth.

Why Postpartum Pain Is Common—But Not Normal

After delivery—whether vaginal or via C-section—your pelvic floor goes through a major transition. Postpartum pain may come from:

Scar tissue (episiotomy, tearing, or surgical incision)

Pelvic muscle trauma or overstretching

Nerve sensitivity or inflammation

Poor posture and muscle compensation

Holding tension from birth-related fear, fatigue, or trauma

It’s easy to assume that pain is just part of “healing,” but persistent discomfort is often a sign your muscles haven’t fully recovered or re-coordinated.

You may notice postpartum pelvic floor pain as:

Pain during intercourse or tampon use

Pelvic aching after long periods of standing

Painful bowel movements or urination

Lower abdominal or deep hip discomfort

Sharp pain with sudden movements or lifting your baby

None of these symptoms should be ignored or minimized.

The Physiotherapy Approach to Postpartum Recovery

YourFormSux supports women with gentle, targeted treatment to ease pelvic floor pain and rebuild function. Postpartum physiotherapy may include:

Manual therapy to release tight or guarded pelvic muscles

Breath training to reconnect your diaphragm and core

Scar tissue mobilization to improve healing

Postural realignment to support lifting and baby care

Exercises to gradually restore strength and movement confidence

Whether you’re six weeks or six years postpartum, it’s never too late to address pelvic pain and regain comfort.

When to Seek Help for Pelvic Floor Pain

You should seek a pelvic physiotherapy assessment if:

Pain disrupts your sleep, walking, or daily activity

You avoid intimacy due to discomfort or fear

You feel pressure, bulging, or “falling out” sensations

Symptoms persist beyond six weeks postpartum

Your intuition says something isn’t quite right

Pain is your body’s way of asking for attention—not something you need to ignore, normalize, or push through.

The Truth: You Don’t Have to Tolerate the Pain

Pregnancy and motherhood bring enough challenges. Pelvic floor pain shouldn’t be one of them. With the right care, your body can recover with strength, balance, and dignity.

At YourFormSux, we empower women through every stage of motherhood with evidence-based care and deep body awareness. Whether you’re newly pregnant, weeks postpartum, or years into parenting, we’re here to support your healing journey—without shame, guesswork, or delay.