Pelvic Floor Changes During Pregnancy: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Serving the Jersey Shore and Central New Jersey communities including Asbury Park, Wall Township, Neptune, Spring Lake, Belmar, and surrounding areas

Pregnancy brings incredible changes to your body, and your pelvic floor is no exception. As a woman’s body adapts to support a growing baby, the pelvic floor muscles undergo significant transformations that can affect comfort, function, and overall well-being. At Mana Pelvic Health in Lake Como, New Jersey, Dr. Laura Kelly specializes in helping expectant mothers from across the Jersey Shore understand and prepare for these changes.

Understanding Your Pelvic Floor During Pregnancy

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that form a supportive hammock at the base of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, uterus, and bowel while playing crucial roles in core stability, sexual function, and bladder control. During pregnancy, these muscles face unprecedented demands as they adapt to support your growing baby.

What Changes Can You Expect?

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12) During early pregnancy, hormonal changes begin affecting your pelvic floor even before you show. Rising levels of relaxin and progesterone start softening ligaments and muscles throughout your body, including those in your pelvic floor. Many women from our Wall Township and Neptune communities report early pregnancy symptoms like increased urinary frequency, which often stems from these initial pelvic floor changes.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-26) As your baby grows and your uterus expands, the weight and pressure on your pelvic floor increase significantly. Dr. Laura Kelly frequently sees patients from Asbury Park, Spring Lake, and Belmar during this stage, as women begin experiencing:

• Increased pelvic pressure
• Mild urinary leakage with coughing or sneezing
• Lower back pain that may be related to pelvic floor dysfunction
• Changes in bowel movement patterns

Third Trimester (Weeks 27-40) The final trimester brings the most dramatic changes to your pelvic floor. With your baby reaching full size, these muscles are working harder than ever. Common experiences include:

• More pronounced stress incontinence (leaking with physical activity)
• Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
• Increased pelvic pain or pressure
• Difficulty with bowel movements

Why These Changes Matter

Many expectant mothers from our service area, spanning from Point Pleasant to Eatontown, assume these symptoms are just “part of pregnancy” that they must endure. However, addressing pelvic floor changes proactively can significantly improve your comfort during pregnancy and set you up for better recovery postpartum.

Dr. Laura Kelly, our Pelvic Health Director at Mana Physical Therapy, emphasizes that every woman’s experience is unique. With her advanced training from the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and specialized education in prenatal care, she helps patients understand that while pelvic floor changes are normal, they don’t have to be limiting.

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help

At our Lake Como location, conveniently accessible to residents of Manasquan, Sea Girt, Avon, and Bradley Beach, Dr. Kelly provides comprehensive prenatal pelvic health care. Her approach includes:

Assessment and Education

Every treatment plan begins with a thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor function, posture, and movement patterns. Dr. Kelly takes time to educate you about the changes happening in your body and how to support your pelvic floor throughout pregnancy.

Customized Exercise Programs

Based on her training in prenatal care and mobilization of fascia for pregnant bodies, Dr. Kelly develops personalized exercise programs that may include:

• Diaphragmatic breathing techniques
• Gentle pelvic floor strengthening exercises
• Postural correction exercises
• Safe core strengthening for pregnancy

Manual Therapy Techniques

With her expertise in Maitland techniques and soft tissue mobilization, Dr. Kelly can address restrictions and tension that commonly develop during pregnancy. This hands-on approach can provide significant relief from pelvic pain and dysfunction.

Preparation for Labor and Delivery

Perhaps most importantly, prenatal pelvic floor therapy helps prepare your body for childbirth. Dr. Kelly’s specialized training includes techniques to optimize pelvic floor function for labor, potentially reducing the risk of complications and supporting faster postpartum recovery.

Benefits of Starting Early

Many patients from Ocean Grove, Brick Township, and Howell find that starting pelvic floor therapy early in pregnancy provides the greatest benefits:

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Dr. Kelly understands that many women feel nervous about pelvic floor therapy, especially during pregnancy. At Mana Pelvic Health, we prioritize your comfort and privacy. Your first visit will include:

Real Results from Real Patients

Women from across our service area, from Jackson to Ocean Township, have experienced significant improvements through prenatal pelvic floor therapy. Common outcomes include:

When to Start Pelvic Floor Therapy

There’s no “wrong” time to begin pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy. However, Dr. Kelly often recommends:

• First trimester: If you have a history of pelvic floor issues or are experiencing early symptoms
• Second trimester: For most women, this is an ideal time to establish good pelvic floor habits
• Third trimester: Even late in pregnancy, therapy can provide relief and birth preparation

Convenient Access for Jersey Shore Families

Located in Lake Como, Mana Pelvic Health is easily accessible from throughout Monmouth County and beyond. Our patients regularly travel from:

We understand that pregnancy can make travel challenging, which is why we offer flexible scheduling and comprehensive care designed to minimize your number of visits while maximizing results.

Your Next Steps

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor changes during pregnancy, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Dr. Laura Kelly and the team at Mana Pelvic Health are here to support you throughout your pregnancy journey.

Ready to take control of your pelvic health?

• Call (732) 256-1586 to schedule your consultation
• Located at 1801 Main St, Suite 1B, Lake Como, NJ 07719
• Convenient parking and accessible facilities
• Private treatment suites for your comfort

Remember, taking care of your pelvic floor during pregnancy isn’t just about managing current symptoms—it’s an investment in your long-term health and well-being. With Dr. Kelly’s expertise and compassionate care, you can navigate the changes of pregnancy with confidence and prepare your body for the incredible journey ahead.

Dr. Laura Kelly, PT, DPT, is the Pelvic Health Director at Mana Physical Therapy with specialized training in prenatal and postpartum care. She has received advanced education from the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, The Birth Healing Institute, and Women’s Health Training Associates, making her uniquely qualified to support women throughout their pregnancy journey.