3 Postpartum Myths That Make Recovery Harder Than It Needs To Be
Welcome back to the Total Performance Newsletter! If you are a new subscriber and did not receive previous editions, check out the "Newsletter" tab on our website (https://www.totalperformance-pt.com/) and they are all posted there. If you have trouble accessing this link, please let us know!
Before we dive into today's topic, I wanted to give a quick social media plug. Follow us on Instagram (@total_performance_pt) and Facebook (@Total Peformance Physical Therapy). We have been more active in those places and will be making regular posts on ways to further help you move better, feel better, and perform better!
This month, you will notice that Lindsay will be taking over the newsletter and will continue to do so for the next several months! Lindsay has extensive expertise in all things orthopedic rehab while also specializing in pelvic floor/perinatal rehab. We are very excited to share her insights and knowledge!
For today’s newsletter, Lindsay will be focusing on common postpartum myths that make recovery harder than it needs to be.
After having a baby, you’re suddenly surrounded by advice. Some of it can be helpful, some outdated, and some that can actually make recovery feel harder than it needs to be. I hear the same concerns from clients over and over, often followed by: “I thought this was just normal.”
Let’s clear up a few common postpartum myths.
Myth #1: “Pain is just part of postpartum life”
Some soreness and discomfort in the early weeks after birth can be normal. But ongoing pain, leaking, pressure, or pain with everyday activities isn’t something you have to simply accept.
If symptoms are lingering, worsening, or getting in the way of daily life, that’s your body asking for support, not something you should push through. Postpartum recovery isn’t meant to be a test of endurance.
Myth #2: “Kegels fix everything”
Kegels tend to get all the attention when it comes to pelvic floor health, but they’re only one small piece of the puzzle.
The pelvic floor needs to be able to contract and relax in coordination with breathing and movement. For some people, doing more kegels can actually increase symptoms rather than help them. Recovery is about balance, not just squeezing harder.
Myth #3: “If I was cleared at 6 weeks, I should be back to normal”
Being “cleared” at a postpartum check-up means you’re safe to gradually return to activity, it doesn’t mean your body is fully healed or ready to do everything it did before pregnancy.
Recovery continues for months, not weeks. Add in sleep deprivation, feeding, carrying, and the physical demands of caring for a baby, and it makes sense that things can feel harder than expected.
The bottom line
Your body isn’t broken. You didn’t miss your chance to recover. And you don’t have to live with symptoms just because you had a baby.
If something doesn’t feel right, asking questions and getting guidance can make recovery feel clearer, more supported, and far less overwhelming.
If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum recovery we hope this is helpful, and if someone is looking for more direct guidance, feel free to reach out!
Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter, where will we continue to look into some common issues that arise and practical solutions to deal with them! Also, if you have any topics that you want to see covered in a future newsletter, please let us know!
