What to Expect at Your 6-Week Postpartum Pelvic Floor Check

Whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean section, your body has been through an incredible journey. Around six weeks postpartum, a pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment plays a key role in helping you heal well and move forward with strength and confidence.

This visit is about more than just recovery—it’s about long-term pelvic health, core strength, and overall wellbeing. Here’s what you can expect during your check-up.

Incision Healing – Checking Your Recovery

Vaginal Birth:
If you had stitches from an episiotomy or perineal tear, we’ll check how they’re healing. Many women experience tightness, discomfort or sensitivity in this area. We can offer gentle techniques and massage to ease discomfort and promote better tissue healing.

Cesarean Birth:
We’ll assess your scar to check for proper healing. Some mums feel tightness, numbness, or pulling sensations. We’ll guide you through scar massage and self-care techniques to improve healing and reduce irritation or discomfort.

 Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment – Strength and Function

Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, bowel, and uterus, and may have been stretched or weakened during pregnancy and birth.

We’ll assess:

• How strong and coordinated your pelvic floor muscles are

• Whether you’re able to contract and relax them effectively

• If there’s any pain, tightness or weakness affecting your return to movement

Pelvic Floor Exercises – Doing It Right

Kegels are important—but only if they’re done correctly. We’ll teach you how to engage and release your pelvic floor properly, ensuring you’re activating the right muscles.

You’ll receive:

• Personalised guidance tailored to your current strength

• Support if you can’t feel the muscles or are unsure if you’re doing it right

• Strategies to prevent leaking, heaviness or discomfort

Bladder and Bowel Health – What’s Normal?

Changes in bladder or bowel function after birth are common—but they shouldn’t be ignored.

We’ll talk through:

• Bladder health – Including leaking with coughing, sneezing, urgency or incomplete emptying

• Bowel health – If you’re experiencing constipation, straining or discomfort

These issues are treatable, and we’re here to help restore normal function.

 Abdominal Separation – Checking Your Core Strength

During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate your growing baby. For some women, these muscles remain separated post-birth—this is called diastasis recti.

We’ll:

• Check for separation and assess your core engagement

• Teach you safe exercises to rebuild strength without placing pressure on your pelvic floor

• Guide you on what to avoid to prevent setbacks in recovery

 Returning to Exercise – What’s Safe?

It’s normal to want to get moving again—but not all exercise is safe in the early postpartum period. We’ll guide you on:

• When and how to resume strength training, Pilates, and running

• Building a strong foundation before jumping into high-impact workouts

• Movements to avoid that could slow recovery or cause strain

 Posture & Feeding – Preventing Aches and Pains

Feeding, lifting and holding your baby can place strain on your back, neck and wrists. We’ll show you ways to reduce tension and stay comfortable throughout your day.

You’ll learn:

• How to sit comfortably while feeding

• Safe, supportive ways to carry your baby

• Simple stretches to ease tightness from long feeds and night wakes

Why This Visit Matters

Even if you’re feeling “fine” after birth, this check-up is a powerful opportunity to prevent long-term issues and give your body the care it deserves. Whether you had a vaginal birth or cesarean, a 6-week postpartum pelvic floor check helps you heal stronger, move better, and feel supported every step of the way.

Are you approaching six weeks postpartum?
Book in with one of our expert pelvic floor physiotherapists today and take this important step toward long-term health and confidence.