Recovery After Birth Looks Different For Everyone

The postnatal period brings significant physical, emotional and lifestyle changes. While some symptoms settle naturally over time, others may persist and affect comfort, confidence and participation in daily activities.

Many people experience concerns such as pelvic floor weakness, urinary leakage, abdominal muscle separation, pelvic heaviness, pain during intimacy or uncertainty about returning to exercise.

Whether you've had a vaginal birth or caesarean birth, physiotherapy can help you better understand your recovery, address specific concerns and develop a plan that aligns with your goals.

At Boutique Pelvic Health, care is tailored to your individual recovery and stage of parenthood, helping you feel informed, supported and confident in your body.

Common Symptoms

  • Pelvic Floor & Bladder Symptoms

    Urinary leakage, urgency, heaviness, reduced pelvic floor confidence or concerns about prolapse symptoms.

  • Abdominal Recovery

    Abdominal muscle separation (DRA), core weakness, abdominal discomfort or uncertainty about rebuilding strength.

  • Return To Exercise & Intimacy

    Questions about returning to running, gym, lifting, sport, intimacy or higher-impact activities after birth.
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How Physiotherapy May Help

Postnatal physiotherapy focuses on helping you recover safely and confidently after birth.

Treatment may include:

• Pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation
• Assessment of abdominal muscle separation (DRA)
• Core and strength rehabilitation
• Management of urinary leakage and bladder symptoms
• Assessment and management of prolapse symptoms
• Caesarean scar assessment and education
• Return-to-running and exercise guidance
• Support for pain with intimacy
• Individualised home programs

The aim is to help you feel stronger, more confident and supported as you return to the activities that are important to you.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

Your initial consultation is 60 minutes and provides time to discuss your pregnancy, birth experience, current symptoms and recovery goals.

Your appointment may include:

• Review of pregnancy and birth history
• Assessment of pelvic floor function where appropriate
• Assessment of abdominal muscle recovery
• Evaluation of strength, movement and breathing patterns
• Discussion of bladder, bowel and prolapse symptoms
• Return-to-exercise assessment where relevant
• Development of an individualised treatment plan

All assessments are tailored to your comfort level and goals.

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Why Choose Boutique Pelvic Health


Zara has extensive experience supporting people following both vaginal and caesarean births and provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help individuals navigate postnatal recovery with confidence.

Available Appointments

  • Bundall

    Boutique Pelvic Health
    Boutique Building
    55 Bundall Road
    Bundall QLD 4217
    Australia

  • John Flynn / Tugun

    Boutique Pelvic Health
    Located within Eden Women’s Health
    Suite 7E, Fred McKay House
    John Flynn Private Hospital

    42 Inland Drive
    Tugun QLD 4224
    Australia

  • Telehealth

    Online pelvic health physiotherapy consultations are available for people across Australia.
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FAQ's

When should I see a pelvic health physiotherapist after birth?

Many people attend around 6 weeks after birth, however support can be helpful earlier or later depending on your symptoms, recovery and goals.



Can physiotherapy help urinary leakage after birth?

Yes. Pelvic floor rehabilitation and bladder management strategies may help improve bladder control and confidence following birth.

What is abdominal muscle separation (DRA)?


Abdominal muscle separation, often called diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), is a common change during pregnancy where the abdominal muscles move apart to accommodate a growing baby. Physiotherapy can assess abdominal function and provide guidance for recovery and strengthening.

When can I return to running after having a baby?

The timing varies between individuals. Physiotherapy can help assess pelvic floor function, strength, impact readiness and recovery before returning to running or higher-impact exercise.

Can physiotherapy help prolapse symptoms after birth?


Yes. Physiotherapy may help manage prolapse symptoms through pelvic floor rehabilitation, pressure management strategies, exercise guidance and lifestyle modifications.

Is telehealth available?

Yes. Telehealth pelvic health physiotherapy appointments are available Australia-wide.

Telehealth can be particularly helpful for people living outside the Gold Coast, those with mobility limitations, busy schedules, or individuals who would prefer to begin with education and self-management strategies before attending in person.

Depending on your symptoms, telehealth appointments may include education, exercise prescription, bladder and bowel management strategies, pain management approaches, movement assessment and guidance for home-based rehabilitation.

I had a caesarean birth. Is physiotherapy still helpful?

Absolutely. Physiotherapy may assist with scar recovery, abdominal rehabilitation, pelvic floor health, movement confidence and return to exercise following caesarean birth.

Ready To Feel Confident In Your Recovery?

Whether you're newly postnatal or navigating ongoing symptoms months or years after birth, support is available.

Book an appointment with Zara Howard to better understand your recovery and build confidence in your body.

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Returning To Exercise After Birth

Many parents feel unsure about when and how to return to exercise after having a baby.

The right timing varies depending on your recovery, symptoms, birth experience and exercise goals.

Physiotherapy can help assess pelvic floor function, abdominal recovery, strength, movement patterns and impact readiness to guide a safe return to activities such as:

• Walking
• Gym training
• Pilates
• Running
• Team sports
• High-impact exercise

The goal is not simply returning to exercise quickly, but returning with confidence and reducing the risk of ongoing symptoms.