Date of Award

Spring 4-22-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Lesley Khan-Farooqi

Second Advisor

Eric Hicks

Medical Subject Headings

Maternal health, pregnancy, postpartum, pelvic floor dysfunction, mental health, occupational therapy, activities of daily living, occupational adaptation, interdisciplinary care, women’s health

Abstract

Maternal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent yet often underrecognized in occupational therapy practice, despite its significant impact on mental health, daily function, and quality of life. Many postpartum women experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pain with intimacy, and pelvic organ prolapse, which are frequently normalized or left untreated. Occupational therapy practitioners often have limited training in addressing the complex relationship between pelvic floor function and maternal mental health, contributing to gaps in care. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive handbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners integrating pelvic floor function and maternal mental health to support postpartum recovery and occupational performance. Capstone experiences were completed across acute care, outpatient pelvic health, and community-based doula settings. Clinical observation and interdisciplinary collaboration informed content development. Key findings highlighted gaps in education, delayed care-seeking behaviors, and the need for functional, occupation-based interventions. Mothers often experienced overwhelm, difficulty retaining education, and limited access to follow-up care, particularly in early postpartum stages. The resulting handbook provides evidence-informed interventions, educational tools, and an Occupational Adaptation-based framework to support maternal recovery. This project emphasizes the role of occupational therapy in addressing pelvic and mental health through meaningful daily activities, promoting improved participation, confidence, and overall well-being in postpartum populations.

Comments

Capstone project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

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