What Does a Postpartum Physical Therapy Session Actually Look Like?

For many new mothers, the weeks following childbirth are filled with emotion, adjustment, and advice—often focused on the baby. But what about your recovery? Far too often, postpartum healing is brushed off with “just give it time,” leaving women to navigate pain, leakage, or weakness on their own.

READ: Experiencing Pain Wearing Tampons? Here’s How to Fix It.

That’s where pelvic floor physical therapy comes in. Postpartum care isn’t just about rest—it’s about restoring your body’s function after an enormous physical event. From diastasis recti and pelvic pain to leaking during workouts or feeling “disconnected” from your core, these symptoms are common—but they are not normal. A tailored approach through physical therapy helps you recover with intention, not guesswork.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Walking into your first postpartum physical therapy session might feel a little intimidating—but at Alpha Project in Gaithersburg, the goal is to make you feel informed, supported, and empowered from day one.

The session typically begins with a thoughtful conversation. Your provider will ask about your birth experience, symptoms, activity level, and personal goals. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or C-section, every story is unique—and your care should reflect that.

Next comes a physical assessment. This may include:

• Postural and breathing evaluation

• Pelvic alignment and hip mobility check

• Core engagement and abdominal wall assessment, particularly if diastasis recti is present

If appropriate and with your full consent, your therapist may perform an internal pelvic floor exam. This is a gentle, one-finger assessment to evaluate how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning—how they contract, relax, and coordinate with your breath. This exam is entirely optional but can provide valuable insight into your recovery plan.

Common Areas Addressed in Treatment

Postpartum therapy is not one-size-fits-all. It’s a targeted, progressive process that addresses the issues that matter most to you. Some of the most common areas addressed in postpartum care include:

Pelvic Floor Reactivation
Many women lose connection with their pelvic floor after birth. Therapy focuses on restoring strength and coordination to prevent issues like incontinence, heaviness, or pain.

Core Strength and Diastasis Recti
If your abdominal wall separated during pregnancy, therapy helps re-engage your deep core muscles with safe, progressive movements that reduce strain and rebuild tension.

Scar Tissue and C-Section Recovery
Therapists can gently mobilize scar tissue to improve comfort, reduce sensitivity, and improve movement in the surrounding muscles.

Return to Function and Fitness
Whether your goal is walking without discomfort, chasing toddlers, or lifting at the gym, therapy helps retrain your body to move efficiently and safely through daily life and exercise.

READ: Do You Push When You Pee?

How Follow-Up Sessions Progress

Each follow-up builds on the previous one. As your body heals and adapts, your therapist will introduce new exercises, track your progress, and modify treatment based on how you’re feeling.

Early sessions may focus more on breath work, pelvic floor awareness, and gentle mobility. As your strength improves, your therapist may incorporate functional movements like squats, lunges, and lifts—preparing your body for real-life demands.

Throughout the process, you’ll also learn how to integrate what you’re learning into your day: how to lift your baby safely, how to carry a car seat without pain, or how to return to your favorite workouts. This is recovery rooted in function, not just checklists.

For women looking to return to running, CrossFit, or higher-intensity sports, your therapist will guide that transition with graded exposure and performance testing to ensure you're truly ready.

Why Specialized Care Makes a Difference

Postpartum bodies deserve more than general rehab—they need providers who understand the intricacies of birth recovery and pelvic health. At Alpha Project in Gaithersburg, we specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy that’s customized, evidence-based, and rooted in real-life movement.

We offer 1:1 sessions in a private, supportive environment, where each client is seen as a whole person—not just a checklist of symptoms. Our team listens, educates, and builds a plan around your goals, whether you’re six weeks or six years postpartum.

Healing after birth isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about moving forward, stronger and more confident in your body. With the right support, that’s not just possible—it’s expected.