Reconnecting with Your Pelvic Floor and Why Every Mom Deserves a Pelvic Floor Checkup

Oct 12
3 min read

After birth, many women are told to “do your Kegels”. As if that’s the magic fix for every pelvic issue. But the truth is, your pelvic floor is far more complex and dynamic than just “squeeze and release.”

In this post, we’ll explore why reconnecting to your pelvic floor is key to your recovery, strength, and confidence, and how getting a pelvic floor checkup can support you in returning to the movement and exercise you love.

What Your Pelvic Floor Actually Does

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of your pelvis. It supports your bladder, uterus, and bowels, helps control continence, stabilizes your posture, and even contributes to pleasure and intimacy.

It also works in harmony with your breath and core — every inhale gently expands and softens the pelvic floor, and every exhale lifts and engages it.

This “inner lift and release” rhythm is your body’s built-in system for balance and support.

Common Signs of Pelvic Floor Imbalance

When the pelvic floor is either too weak or too tight, you might experience:

Leaking when sneezing, coughing, or jumping
Heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
Low back or hip pain
Pain during intimacy
Difficulty engaging your core

And here’s the key: It’s not always about weakness. Many women, especially after childbirth or high stress, like me, have an overactive (hypertonic) pelvic floor that needs relaxation before strengthening.

That’s why jumping straight into Kegels without guidance can sometimes make things worse.

Why a Pelvic Floor Checkup with Health Physiotherapist Is a Game Changer

A pelvic floor physiotherapist — sometimes called a women’s health physio — is trained to assess your pelvic floor’s strength, coordination, and tone.

They can:

Perform internal exams to check for muscle balance and function
Use ultrasound imaging to show how your core and pelvic floor work together
Identify issues like diastasis recti and help you strengthen safely
Create a personalized plan for recovery and returning to exercise

In some countries, like France, postpartum pelvic floor therapy is standard care — and the truth is that it should be everywhere. Every woman deserves to know how her body is healing.

The Power of Breath Connection

Your breath is the most accessible tool to start reconnecting with your pelvic floor.

Try this simple awareness exercise:

Sit tall or lie comfortably with one hand on your belly and one on your ribs.
Inhale through your nose, allowing your ribs and belly to expand. Imagine your pelvic floor widening like a hammock or blooming flower.
Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly draw in and your pelvic floor gently lift.

This subtle motion is your foundation. Awareness before action.

My Personal Experience

After my first baby, I didn’t feel stable in my pelvic floor. It wasn’t until I saw a pelvic floor physiotherapist that I truly understood what was happening.

During my most recent checkup — 16 months postpartum — my therapist used an ultrasound to show how my core and pelvic floor worked together. Seeing my muscles activate in real time was empowering. Here is her website in case you also live in Hamburg, Germany.

She helped me understand that I didn’t just need strength. I needed relaxation, awareness, and trust in my body again.

The Bottom Line

Your pelvic floor deserves care, not fear. It’s not a problem to “fix”. It’s a vital, intelligent part of your body that’s always working for you.

Awareness is the first step toward healing and strength.

So if you’re planning to return to running, yoga, or any form of exercise, book a pelvic floor checkup first. You’ll gain clarity, confidence, and the peace of knowing your body is supported from the inside out.

Ready for More Support?

If you’re not sure where to start, I’d love to help. Schedule a free 1:1 call with me. We’ll talk through your goals, your recovery journey, and do a firts assessment of your core and pelvic floor so we can find gentle ways to rebuild strength and connection safely.

👉 Book your free call here