For many new parents, the 6-week postpartum checkup feels like a big milestone. You’re told you’re “cleared” — to exercise, to have sex, to return to “normal.” But what if your body doesn’t feel ready? What if you’re still leaking when you sneeze, are fearful of pain with intimacy, or wondering why your core feels so weak?
The Myth of the 6-Week Clearance
The traditional postpartum care model in the U.S. typically includes just one follow-up appointment at 6 weeks. While this visit is essential for checking on healing and any complications, it rarely includes a full-body assessment or discussion about pelvic floor health, core function, or emotional well-being.
Being “cleared” often focuses more on what’s medically safe than on what actually feels good, functional, or sustainable for your everyday life.
What Your Body Might Still Be Navigating
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Leaking urine when you laugh or sneeze, heaviness in the pelvis, or pain during sex are common postpartum symptoms that deserve attention.
- Core Weakness + Diastasis Recti: That feeling of instability or “softness” in your core may be due to a separation of your abdominal muscles (known as diastasis recti).
- Scar Tissue: Whether from a C-section or perineal tear, scar tissue can affect posture, mobility, and pelvic function.
- Back, Neck, and Hip Pain: The demands of feeding, lifting, carrying, and poor sleep can wreak havoc on your musculoskeletal system.
- Emotional Load: Overwhelm, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion are part of the postpartum picture that deserve care, too.
How The Nest Wellness Collective Supports Long-Term Healing
At The Nest, we offer comprehensive care for pregnant and postpartum bodies that goes far beyond the basics. Our services include:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Core retraining and strength-building
- Manual therapy for scar tissue, fascia, and muscle tension
- Support for painful sex, prolapse, and urinary incontinence
- Gentle movement therapy that fits your life and stage of healing
- Workshops led by trusted birth workers and infant care specialists, providing practical tools and compassionate insight for every stage of the journey.
- Caregiver and child movement classes to build community and introduce movement and fitness in a mindful way postpartum
We also work in collaboration with a personal trainer, nutritionist, and perinatal mental health professionals to make sure your care is as complete as possible.
And yes—babies are always welcome at your PT sessions! Whether you’re doing core work with a little one in your lap or squeezing in some self-care while they nap nearby, we’re here to support both of you.
There’s No “Right Time” to Start Healing
Whether you’re 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years postpartum, you deserve support. It’s never too late to care for your body and reclaim comfort, strength, and connection.
If you’re ready to go beyond the 6-week clearance and truly feel at home in your body again, we’re here for you.