Postpartum Pelvic Floor & Core Recovery
The postpartum period asks a lot of your body — ligaments that loosened during pregnancy need time to restabilize, and your core and pelvic floor have to relearn how to work together after carrying and delivering a baby. At Two Sparrows, we support this recovery as part of our postpartum care.
Symptoms We Commonly See
Low back or pelvic instability after delivery
Core weakness or a sense of disconnect from your abdominal muscles
Hip or SI joint discomfort as the pelvis restabilizes
General postural strain from nursing and baby-carrying
Understanding Postpartum Recovery Timelines
Postpartum recovery unfolds in overlapping phases, and understanding roughly what to expect can help set realistic expectations for your own healing process.
Why Pelvic Floor & Core Instability Happens
During pregnancy, the ligaments supporting your pelvis loosen to prepare for delivery, and your abdominal muscles stretch significantly to accommodate your growing baby. After delivery, this process reverses — but it takes time, and without support, it's common for imbalances to persist longer than they need to.
General Recovery Phases
Immediate postpartum (0-2 weeks) — initial healing, significant rest needed regardless of delivery type
Early postpartum (2-6 weeks) — continued healing, typically the period before your OB clears you for exercise
Extended postpartum (6 weeks-6 months) — core and pelvic floor function continue rebuilding, ligaments continue restabilizing
Beyond 6 months — many women continue seeing gradual improvement in strength and function well into this period, especially with appropriate rehabilitation
Why "6 Weeks" Isn't a Finish Line
The commonly cited 6-week postpartum checkup is a general medical clearance milestone, not a marker that recovery is complete — full ligament restabilization and core/pelvic floor strength rebuilding often continues for many months afterward, which is part of why ongoing supportive care can be valuable well beyond that point. We also highly recommend working closely with a pelvic floor physical therapist, our favorite local recommendation is Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy.
Common Contributing Factors to Ongoing Symptoms
Degree of ligament laxity during pregnancy
Type of delivery (vaginal vs. C-section) and any complications
Baby-carrying and nursing postures adopted after birth
Return-to-activity pace
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Contact your OB or a pelvic floor specialist for: urinary or fecal leakage, a visible bulge or doming in the abdomen, pelvic organ prolapse symptoms (a sensation of pressure or bulging in the vagina), or pain that's worsening rather than improving over time.
Our Approach
We evaluate pelvic and spinal alignment postpartum and use gentle adjustments to support your body's natural restabilization process. For patients with more significant core or pelvic floor concerns, we may also recommend working alongside a pelvic floor physical therapist as part of a complete recovery plan.
This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your OB, midwife, or physician about your specific postpartum recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This varies based on your delivery and recovery — we recommend discussing timing with us and your OB or midwife based on your specific situation.
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Yes — postpartum care focuses on your body's recovery and restabilization after pregnancy and delivery, rather than supporting an ongoing pregnancy.
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We evaluate spinal and pelvic alignment as part of your overall recovery. For more specific core or pelvic floor rehabilitation, we may recommend a collaborative approach with a pelvic floor specialist.
— not still bracing, leaking, or feeling disconnected from her core months after bringing her baby home.
And sometimes that means looking beyond what you've been told to simply expect, toward gentle, whole-body care that works with your body as it restabilizes after pregnancy and delivery. Holistic, non-invasive chiropractic care helps to provide a clear and hopeful path forward for you and your family, meeting you exactly where you are, whether you're weeks or months into your postpartum recovery. You don't have to have all the answers today — just a willingness to explore what's possible, one gentle step at a time.