Pregnancy and Postnatal Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in Wellington

Pregnancy and birth ask a lot of your body, particularly your pelvic floor, hips, back, and abdominals. Pelvic health physiotherapy supports you before the birth and after it, so you can feel prepared, recover well, and get back to the movement you enjoy.

At Affirm Rehab in Kaiwharawhara, I work with people at every stage, from early pregnancy through to months or years after birth. You don’t need a referral, and you don’t need to have symptoms to benefit.

What is the pelvic floor?

A hammock of muscles connecting your pubic bone at the front to your tailbone at the back. It has four main jobs:

  • Support for your bladder, bowel and uterus

  • Control of your bladder and bowel

  • Sexual function and sensation

  • Teamwork with your deep core muscles and breathing

Pregnancy and birth can place extra demand on all of these functions, which is why it pays to give them some attention.

Who this is for:

  • You’re pregnant and want to prepare your body for birth and stay active

  • You’re experiencing pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain, or pubic bone pain

  • You’re leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run, or lift, or you have bowel urgency or trouble emptying

  • You feel heaviness, dragging, or a bulge in your pelvic area

  • You’ve had a tear, an episiotomy, or an instrumental or caesarean birth

  • You’re experiencing pain with sex, tampons, or examinations since having a baby

  • You’re wondering when and how to return to running, lifting, or any exercise after birth

  • Something doesn’t feel right and you’re not sure who to ask

How pelvic health physiotherapy can help:

During pregnancy

  • Assessment and treatment of pelvic girdle pain and lower back pain

  • Pelvic floor assessment and guidance, including learning to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor as well as strengthen it

  • Preparing for labour and birth, including breathing, positions, and perineal massage technique

  • Safe, individualised exercise advice, including for women who already lift heavy or train regularly

After birth

  • Pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation

  • Support after perineal tears, including third- and fourth-degree tears, and other maternal birth injuries

  • Recovery after caesarean birth, including scar care and a gradual return to movement

  • Help with abdominal separation (diastasis recti), leaking, prolapse symptoms, and pelvic or sexual pain

  • Pessary fitting and management for prolapse

  • A graded return to exercise, from walking through to running, lifting, and sport

Where your appointment happens:

My clinic room is within Hypha gym in Kaiwharawhara. That means rehab doesn’t have to stop at the treatment table. When you’re ready, we can test and build your confidence with movement thats valuable to you, whether that’s squatting, lifting, running, or chasing a toddler, at a pace that suits you.

What to expect at your first appointment:

We’ll talk through your history, symptoms, and goals. With your consent, I may do an assessment, which can include looking at your posture and movement, your abdominal muscles, and your pelvic floor. An internal examination is only done if you’re comfortable and it’s helpful. You’ll leave with a clear plan and exercises that fit into real life, including life with a baby.

ACC cover for birth injuries:

I’m an ACC registered provider. If you’ve had a perineal tear or another maternal birth injury, ACC Maternal Birth Injury (MBI) funding may support your treatment. Tears are described in degrees from first to fourth, and most are minor. Your midwife, GP, or I can help you work out whether a claim applies.

Frequently asked questions

Is leaking after having a baby normal?
Leaking is common, but you don’t have to put up with it, and getting help early makes things easier. Most women improve with the right guidance and pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation.

Do I need to wait until after the birth to see a pelvic health physio?
No. Seeing someone during pregnancy can help with pain, prepare you for birth, and give you confidence to keep exercising.

What is perineal massage, and should I do it?
Perineal massage may reduce the chance of a tear needing stitches in a first vaginal birth. It’s usually suggested from around 35 weeks.

Do I need to do Kegels?
Pelvic floor exercises help many people, but relaxing and lengthening the pelvic floor matters just as much, especially for labour. A check with a pelvic health physio makes sure you’re doing them correctly.

When should I see a pelvic health physio after birth?
A check at around 6 weeks postnatal is a good time, so we can assess your recovery and plan your return to exercise. You’re welcome to come earlier if you have symptoms or concerns.

When can I start exercising after birth?
It depends on your birth, your recovery, and what you want to return to. Gentle movement can often start early, and a pelvic health physio can help you plan the progression to higher-impact exercise.

I had my baby a while ago. Is it too late to see a Pelvic Health Physio?
It’s never too late. Many women come in months or years after birth, and improvement is still very possible.

Can I see you if I’m not having any symptoms?
Yes. Many women book a check-up during pregnancy or postpartum for reassurance and a plan.

Every person’s journey is individual

Feeling less fit than before when you return to exercise is normal, even if you stayed active through pregnancy. Your timeline depends on your birth, your healing, and your life with a new baby, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Book an appointment

If you’re in Wellington, the Hutt, or Kāpiti and would like support, I’d love to help. Book online or get in touch with any questions.

Affirm Rehab, 2/13 School Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington 6035 (clinic room within Hypha gym)
jen@affirmrehab.com | 0225045330

This page is general information and doesn’t replace individual medical advice.