Fellowship-Trained Urogynecologist
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Green Bay, Wisconsin
✓ Medically reviewed March 2026
Pelvic Floor Changes After Pregnancy
Your body did something incredible during pregnancy and delivery. It’s normal for the pelvic floor to need time to recover — but it’s important to know the difference between expected postpartum changes and signs that you should seek specialist care.
Why This Happens
During pregnancy, the pelvic floor supports increasing weight for nine months while hormones soften connective tissue to prepare for delivery. During vaginal birth, these structures stretch to allow passage of the baby. This combination can lead to temporary or lasting changes in pelvic floor function.
Dr. Stewart explains: “Pregnancy is essentially a nine-month stress test for the pelvic floor. Most women recover well, but some develop symptoms that benefit from professional attention. The key is knowing when to seek help rather than assuming everything will resolve on its own.”
Signs You Should Seek Help
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness that persists beyond 3 months postpartum
- Feeling a bulge in the vagina
- Urinary leaking that isn’t improving
- Difficulty controlling gas or stool
- Pain during intercourse that’s new since delivery
Treatment Options
- Pelvic floor physical therapy — the cornerstone of postpartum pelvic floor recovery
- Time — tissue healing continues for up to a year
- Pessary — if prolapse symptoms are bothersome, a pessary provides support while healing continues
- Specialist evaluation — a urogynecologist can assess the full picture and plan treatment
Dr. Stewart notes: “I love helping postpartum women because the results are so rewarding. Many of my patients recover beautifully with physical therapy and patience. For those who need more, we have excellent options — but we typically wait until family is complete before considering surgery.”
Your Next Steps
Don’t suffer in silence during what should be a joyful time. If your pelvic floor isn’t recovering as expected, seeking evaluation is an investment in your long-term health.
Learn more about pelvic organ prolapse
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Dr. Stewart understands the unique challenges you're facing and is here to help.
- No referral necessary
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