Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pregnancy

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What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy?

Pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy is a gentle way to help your body adapt to the changes that come with carrying a baby. Your belly grows and hormones shift, which puts extra pressure on the muscles at the base of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, uterus, and bowels. Extra pressure can cause discomfort, leaking, or feeling less stable in your core.

Therapy focuses on keeping those muscles strong to reduce symptoms like pelvic pain or urinary issues and to help prepare your body for a smoother birth. It’s not just about exercises. It’s about helping you feel better and comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

pelvic floor therapy pregnancy near me
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When to Start Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy

prenatal pelvic floor therapy near me

You can begin pelvic floor therapy at pretty much any stage of pregnancy. But the general consensus is that the sooner you start, the more benefits you get. If you’re already noticing symptoms like leaking, pelvic discomfort, or core weakness, it’s a good idea to begin as early as possible to help manage them before they get worse.

If you’re symptom-free and mostly focused on birth preparation, many providers recommend starting around the beginning of the third trimester, when your body is under more pressure and prepping for delivery. That said, it’s never too late – even starting in the final weeks of pregnancy can make your delivery experience smoother and help with recovery.

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Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy

Reduce pelvic and back pain

As your belly grows, extra pressure on the pelvis and spine can cause pain. Prenatal pelvic floor physical therapy helps ease tension.

Improve posture
Therapists teach about posture, which eases stress on your back and helps you carry your pregnancy more comfortably.
Treat urinary and fecal leakage
Leaking when you sneeze or laugh is not a usual “part of pregnancy” – pregnancy pelvic floor physical therapy can help avoid such issues.
Alleviate constipation
Pelvic floor PT during pregnancy improves bowel function by relaxing overly tight muscles.
Strengthen pelvic floor muscles
Strong pelvic floor muscles support your uterus, bladder, and bowels, and help with both delivery and recovery.
Prepare for labor and birth
Pelvic floor therapy helps you learn how to engage, relax, and control these muscles, which can make delivery easier and reduce the risk of tearing.
Aid postpartum recovery
Pelvic floor therapy for pregnancy helps repair and retrain muscles affected by childbirth, making your recovery quicker.
Reduce the risk of pelvic organ prolapse
Keeping the pelvic floor strong during pregnancy helps prevent organs like the bladder or uterus from going downward.
Address diastasis recti
Therapists can help you understand safe movements to reduce abdominal separation.
Improve sexual health
By addressing pain, tightness, or weakness the pelvic floor therapy for pregnancy can make your sexual life more comfortable.
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What to Expect During
Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy

Your first pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy session during pregnancy begins with an in-depth conversation and examination. The therapist will ask questions about your health history, any discomfort you’re feeling, and how pregnancy has been affecting your life. They may also observe how you move, breathe, and hold your posture, since all of that ties into how your pelvic floor is functioning.

After that, they’ll usually perform a gentle external exam, which might involve checking the muscles around your pelvis, hips, back, and legs to see how they’re working together. If you’re experiencing any specific symptoms, they may also use gloved hands (over clothing or a gown) to gently feel how the muscles in the pelvic region respond. It helps your therapist understand if you have tension, weakness, or tenderness.

If needed and with your full consent, the therapist might suggest an internal exam to get a clearer picture of how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. This part is optional. It can help assess your ability to squeeze and relax those muscles, spot any tight areas, and check if there’s any early sign of prolapse.

pelvic floor therapy for pregnancy near me
Have more questions or not sure where to start?
Founder and owner Dr Stephanie Madden provides complimentary consultations
to help get every patient started on the right treatment plan.
 She can help answer questions about all services
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Personalized Pelvic Floor Therapy Care
at Copper Wellness, Chicago, IL

At Copper Wellness, we believe that every pregnancy is unique. And so is your pelvic floor care too. That’s why we offer fully personalized prenatal pelvic floor therapy to support you through every trimester. We never use generic solutions!

As an integrative health clinic in Chicago, we do more than just traditional care. We offer you a complete support system, which may include Prenatal Massage, Prenatal Chiropractor care, and other related services that help you move healthier, feel less pain, and feel supported. Such a care model helps you get the right support at the right time – all under one roof.

prenatal pelvic floor physical therapy near me
pelvic floor therapy pregnancy

If you’re pregnant and experiencing symptoms like back pain, pelvic pressure, or urinary changes, or if you just want to be better prepared for childbirth, our therapists are at your service.

Book your pregnancy pelvic floor therapy session at Copper Wellness today and let us support you with care and professionalism every step of the way.

About results

Reviews About
Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pregnancy

Marianna Campbell
11:35 03 Jun 25
I have been going to Copper Wellness for nearly 4 years and cannot say enough good things about the clinic and all of their providers. Dr. Madden is a truly exceptional acupuncturist. I worked with her almost weekly during my first pregnancy and postpartum, and now for my second pregnancy, and she has been such a blessing with hormone health, stress and anxiety management, digestion, and sleep. She has the most amazing presence and all of her guidance has always been spot on. I also saw Dr Mohr during my first pregnancy to help with pregnancy aches and pains and pelvic positioning - he is also wonderful, so knowledgeable and kind and helped relieve a lot of my physical symptoms during that time. I’ve gone to Benicia for massage too and she is one of the best! (and I’ve seen a lot of massage therapists in my life)

I am moving from Chicago soon and truly going to miss this amazing clinic.
Response from the owner 11:44 03 Jun 25
Dear Marianna,Thank you so much for your kind words and for being with us all these years. We're honored to have supported you through both pregnancies. Dr. Madden, Dr. Mohr, and Benicia will be touched by your feedback. Wishing you all the best in your move — you'll always be part of the Copper Wellness family!
Jack Rieke
13:20 23 May 25
Dr. Mohr helped me tremendously with lower back pain and SI joint pain years ago and I still use the exercises he provided me to sustain feeling better. He used multiple techniques and movement based therapies to improve my ability to bend and lie down without pain.
Response from the owner 07:57 26 May 25
Thank you so much, Jack! We're truly glad to hear you're still feeling better — your kind words mean a lot to us!
Tina Ho
23:04 14 May 25
I have received services and initially had good intentions for a relationship with this clinic, but the billing issues and poor customer service significantly affected my experience and I feel compelled to share.

From the beginning, I was clear that billing transparency was important to me. Despite that, I ran into repeated issues with billing. The clinic charged me estimated amounts that didn’t ultimately match my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from UnitedHealthcare, and when I brought up the discrepancies—with actual documentation to back it up—I was met with defensiveness rather than a willingness to resolve things collaboratively.

One particularly strange policy I encountered was that this clinic might charge a “clinic fee” if UnitedHealthcare doesn’t accommodate their cash rates. This seems to blur the lines between in-network and out-of-network billing.

Meanwhile, claims weren’t submitted to insurance promptly, which delayed payments and caused unnecessary confusion—none of which was my fault as the patient.

Bottom line: I paid what I was invoiced on time, asked reasonable questions when things didn’t add up, and was made to feel like I was the problem for doing so. I’ve since paused services until this can be sorted out—and I feel compelled to share my experience here.
Response from the owner 18:14 28 May 25
Hi Tina,  I am sorry that your experience was not as you had hoped at Copper Wellness. Before starting treatment all patients using insurance are given a breakdown of what their benefits cover at the clinic.  Because of your shared concern about billing transparency, we also provided a breakdown of all potential charges for every type of appointment covered by insurance after your first treatment and before continuing care. We are happy to do this with any patient. Insurance billing is not an automated process, we submit the claims based on our insurance contracts with these companies and are paid as such. If there is a discrepancy in an overpayment it is issued back to the patient.We understand insurance can be frustrating and confusing which is why we contract a certified outside billing team to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of our billing practices. After reviewing all the communication I thought it was best to refer you to another practice which is local to you and within your network. As the owner and a practitioner I believe it is best that your healthcare environment be in a place that makes you feel relaxed and supported. I am sorry that cannot be us however we all wish you the best of luck with your journey. 
Z Goldman
23:51 20 Feb 25
Copper Wellness has been a pivotal part of my wellness routine since moving to Chicago - can’t the imagine the city without them!
Response from the owner 14:31 21 Feb 25
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re grateful to be part of your integrative health and wellness journey and truly appreciate your support. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Amy Winters
01:15 28 Jan 25
I've been seeing Dr Stephanie Madden since last year, and the experience has been truly transformative. Overall, Copper Wellness is both calming and welcoming. Stephanie is always attentive to my needs, whether they are physical, mental or emotional. I always leave feeling more balanced than when I came. It's obvious that she truly cares about the well-being of her patients. If you are considering acupuncture, this is the place to go!
Response from the owner 08:17 10 Feb 25
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that your experience at Copper Wellness has been transformative. We appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to support you on your wellness journey!
jake o
20:23 27 Jan 25
I can't say enough great things about my experience at Copper Wellness! Dr. Madden is truly incredible. She has been instrumental in helping me manage my weight and find relief from stress, something I've struggled with for a long time. Her personalized approach, calm demeanor, and deep knowledge made me feel completely comfortable and cared for during each session!
Response from the owner 08:17 10 Feb 25
Thank you for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you’ve had a great experience at Copper Wellness. Dr. Madden is dedicated to personalized care, and we’re grateful to be part of your health journey!
Scott Bunner
17:47 27 Jan 25
Copper Wellness has been a blessing in my life, I cant stop talking about the progress that Dr. Madden's treatment plan has made in my mental and physical health. The environment is calm, welcoming, and always filled with positive energy. I discovered Dr. Madden during a period of self reflection, I felt an imbalance in my life. When we met, she explained the practice and how it can impact the symptoms I was feeling. Acupuncture as a whole can change your life - it has mine, and Dr. Madden is the perfect provider to guide you to your ultimate wellness. Thank You Copper!
Response from the owner 18:17 27 Jan 25
You're a true testament to you get out what you put in. You've been so dedicated to your care and it's a gift to see you thriving in the happiness you've created for yourself. We love to be along for the ride and see how feeling your best helps you tackle your dreams.
Joe Grady
17:14 27 Jan 25
I've been seeing Dr. Mohr for a number of years now and the results have been amazing! From the first visit, I felt welcomed and listened to. My back pain has significantly improved, and I feel more energized and aligned (pun intended). Highly recommend if you're looking for top-notch care!
Response from the owner 18:18 27 Jan 25
Thanks Joe! We love the dad jokes, keep 'em coming 🙂
Whitney Anthony
05:15 25 Jan 25
Copper Wellness has been my point of care for everything related to my body and immune system consistently for 3 years now. I started my journey when my low back and glute were bothering me. Between Adam for muscle and movement work in addition to adjustments and Stephanie for my first round of acupuncture continued through to two of the hardest athletic years of my life running 7 marathons and competing in 6 IM events I owe my body to this group. They always keep my races top of mind when treating me but more importantly work on exercise and life habit changes to improve any issues I’m experiencing rather than just putting a “bandaid” on something that hurts. Also note that the massage therapy is unbelievable, Blu as a MT is life changing and all of the practitioners communicate across practices so that all care is tailored to areas I need focused on. I HIGHLY recommend this group.
Response from the owner 18:40 27 Jan 25
Whitney! Literally always keeping us on our toes keeping up with your impressive and successful yearly race schedule. It's been awesome to see you achieve your goals while enjoying the process. Can't wait to see what you have scheduled for this year.
Lauren Mitchell
20:37 23 Jan 25
Absolutely love this place. I go to Dr. Madden for Acupuncture and she not only will take time to sit and listen to what is going on with my body, but she'll also curate a plan of attack that is personalized to my needs. I absolutely love coming here and appreciate everything that they do.
Response from the owner 18:38 27 Jan 25
Thank you Lauren
Jenna Watson
21:03 18 Jul 24
I. Love. This. Place! I see both Dr. Mimosa for chiropractic and Dr. Madden for acupuncture, and they are two of the best practitioners of *any* type of medicine I've EVER worked with. They listen. They care. They genuinely want to help you feel your best. I can't recommend them and Copper Wellness enough.
Megumi Anne
15:35 18 Jul 24
Best Chiropractors in the city yall!! Dr.Mimosa is sweet and easy to talk to. Dr. Adam is very easy to talk to as well. Highly recommend!!!
Jose Burgos
14:44 20 May 24
Can't say enough good things about Anais. Very professional, very knowledgably, and just an amazing caring person! You are in the best of hands with her, would highly recommend!
Julia Helms
15:26 18 Mar 24
I have been seeing Dr. Madden for acupuncture for almost a year now and I don't know where I'd be without her. She's incredible at what she does and the entire staff is awesome.
Juan Ayala
17:29 13 Dec 23
Anais is simply the best! Had a great review, consultation of problem areas and left feeling like I was on a cloud! Can't wait to go back, highly recommend the electrode therapy, it was amazing.
marcy swerdlow
01:46 26 Jul 23
Dr Madden is a miracle worker. For over a year I had issues with my feet. She was the 1st to say my calf’s were right! Her acupuncture was spot on and helped right away. The stress caused issues in my neck as well that she helped not only with acupuncture but cupping as well. Her care and compassion is amazing. I will continue on maintenance because she is so amazing. ‼️
Taylor Easterling
12:18 11 Jul 23
Copper Wellness has been a pivotal part of my health journey! The integrative services that are offered are tailored to my needs/situation. Specifically, when I needed to start doing massage therapy for upper and lower back pain, Cameron Sand did a great job from the start making me feel comfortable. Whenever I have a question, they answer it readily and explain how and what they are doing during our session. I’ve seen a huge improvement since working with them and couldn’t recommend them enough!
Jonathan Boyden
14:55 21 Jun 23
I sincerely wish that I could give Dr. Stephanie Madden 1 million stars. From the time that I met her for consultation through my entire acupuncture journey with her, she was incredibly attentive, genuine, personable, professional, precise, safe, knowledgeable, skilled, and wise with her work. I saw Dr. Madden for about 1 a little over a year to help resolve physical issues from emotional traumas and sufferings in my life. I cannot stress how different my life is from when I first saw her. She helped me get to core issues in my physical health that other doctors never came close to articulating, let alone being aware. Working those physical issues directly helped me so much with my emotional health. My quality of life now is so much better because of her contributions to my healing journey. After working with Dr. Madden, she is a practitioner that I trust and deeply respect. If anyone ever asks me to recommend an acupuncturist, I would never hesitate to recommend anyone to her. I even recommended her to one of my friends on his journey to receive a heart transplant, and she made a positive impact on his quality of life. He had nothing but positive things to say about her (and now he is thriving with a new heart!). Dr. Stephanie Madden has made a wonderful impact on my life, and I can only imagine the impact she is making on the lives of others whom encounter her. She is someone that has answered her call in life, and is absolutely brilliant at it. Brilliant!
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We accept most major insurance plans depending on your type of service.

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FAQs About
Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pregnancy

Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, pelvic floor therapy is generally safe during pregnancy when performed by a qualified specialist. Copper Wellness provides personalized care to ensure treatments are adapted to each stage of pregnancy, focusing on safety, comfort, and long-term pelvic health.

How Can Pregnancy Affect My Pelvic Floor Muscles?

Pregnancy can weaken or strain the pelvic floor muscles due to hormonal changes, added weight, and the pressure of a growing baby. Copper Wellness offers specialized support to help expectant mothers strengthen these muscles, improve comfort, and prepare for recovery after childbirth.

Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Help With Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain?

Yes, pelvic floor therapy can help reduce pregnancy-related pelvic pain by improving muscle function and relieving tension. Copper Wellness tailors each therapy program to support comfort during pregnancy and promote long-term pelvic health.

How Does Weight Gain During Pregnancy Impact My Pelvic Floor?

Weight gain during pregnancy increases pressure on the pelvic floor, which can lead to muscle weakness or discomfort. Copper Wellness provides targeted therapies to support pelvic stability, reduce strain, and promote a smoother recovery postpartum.
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