Today, I sat down with Dr. Lia Palomino of Michigan Pelvic Rehab to discuss important aspects of pelvic floor health postpartum. As a renowned Michigan Maternity Photographer and Traverse City Newborn Photographer, capturing the beautiful journey of motherhood, I often encounter mothers curious about postpartum recovery. Dr. Palomino provided invaluable insights into this crucial topic.
Q: What is the pelvic floor?
Dr. Lia Palomino: The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that span the area underneath the pelvis, supporting the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus (in women), and rectum. It plays a key role in maintaining urinary and bowel continence, supporting pelvic organs, and contributing to sexual function.
Q: What are the signs of pelvic floor issues after childbirth?
Dr. Lia Palomino: Common symptoms can be pelvic pain, scar pain either perineal or c-section scar, pain when returning to sex, urinary leakage or even bowel leakage, constipation or feeling like you can’t completely empty bowels, increased vaginal pressure, and more. These are the most common issues I see.
Q: How can I strengthen my pelvic floor muscles postpartum?
Dr. Lia Palomino: It is very important to start gently and slowly, building a foundation for the core and pelvic floor with diaphragmatic breathing. The breath, hips, core, and pelvic floor all work together, so addressing each of these areas individually with exercises and eventually together is the goal.
Q: Is it normal to experience urinary incontinence after giving birth?
Dr. Lia Palomino: It is very common and to some extent normal in the very initial days and depending on the delivery. Any urinary incontinence should improve and resolve in a couple of weeks, if not sooner. If it doesn’t, it’s important to see a Pelvic PT for guidance.
Q: Can pelvic floor exercises help with postpartum back pain?
Dr. Lia Palomino: Absolutely! Back pain is very common during pregnancy and postpartum due to the body changes. Many exercises focus on regaining postural control that pregnancy affected and regaining core strength, which ultimately protects the back.
Q: When should I seek professional help for pelvic floor problems?
Dr. Lia Palomino: I recommend every postpartum woman seeking at least one pelvic floor PT session to find their baseline and then get a program or plan tailored to them. Any pain, pressure, or leakage symptoms warrant a visit to a pelvic PT.
Q: How does a weakened pelvic floor affect my overall health?
Dr. Lia Palomino: The pelvic floor is essentially part of your core and a major support for your trunk. If it’s weak, it can’t support you properly and could result in compensations throughout the body, leading to issues with bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions.
Q: Are there any specific exercises or activities I should avoid postpartum?
Dr. Lia Palomino: Postpartum should be a progression. Avoiding certain exercises early on might be recommended with the goal of progressing to that activity. One major thing I educate moms on is working on a proper foundation before returning to impact activities like running and HIIT exercises.
Q: How long does it take for the pelvic floor to recover after childbirth?
Dr. Lia Palomino: This will vary greatly between individuals based on their prior pelvic floor function, their baseline before pregnancy, and how their delivery went.
Q: What issues can occur if you don't improve your pelvic floor health?
Dr. Lia Palomino: Pelvic health is very important for many things, from overall back and hip pain to more direct pelvic floor issues like organ prolapse, urinary and bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction.
About Dr. Lia Palomino
Dr. Lia Palomino Lia graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor's in Exercise Science in 2013. She continued to attend Oakland University in the Physical Therapy program where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016.
After she graduated PT school, Lia worked full time in an outpatient orthopedic clinic while also working at Henry Ford Hospital in Inpatient Rehab on weekends with the goal of gaining as much patient care experience as she possibly could. Lia has experience treating many conditions in the realm of orthopedics, chronic pain, vestibular, neurologic, & geriatrics.
She gradually grew her caseload with pelvic floor dysfunction soon after she graduated and quickly gained more interest in this specific patient population. Lia has completed several certifications in pelvic floor rehab for women, men and children through the APTA Section on Pelvic Health and Herman & Wallace programs. She has also completed Rolfing Structural Integration certification for bodywork and other mentorship programs which have given her a foundation for her treatment methods.
Lia currently lives in Traverse City, MI with her husband, Mario, and their two husky dogs, Casper & Remy. She continues her passion of running post collegiate by competing in ½ marathons and marathons. She also enjoys spending her time as the coach for TC West High School girl's cross country.
To learn more about Lia's service, offerings, or to schedule an appointment click here.
Comments