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Description
Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction can disrupt daily occupations such as toileting, hygiene, mobility, sexual health, sleep, and infant care. These challenges often reduce confidence and limit participation. Although pelvic floor issues are common, occupational therapy has not been widely recognized in this emerging area, leaving a gap in functional, client-centered support.
This capstone project developed Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide for Pelvic Floor Health, an occupation-focused resource designed to help postpartum individuals understand pelvic floor dysfunction and return to meaningful routines. A needs assessment was completed through clinical observation, discussions with providers at Purely Pelvic Floor, and a review of current evidence. The assessment identified limited awareness of the role of occupational therapy and a need for accessible and functional education and intervention strategies.
The guidebook content covers topics such as understanding your pelvic floor, signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, anatomy, psychosocial impacts, mindfulness practices, coping strategies for fear and anxiety, self-care and leisure, returning to meaningful activities, occupational disruption and social considerations, social and community scenarios, goal setting (Mom 101), activity sample tracking, physical recovery, healthy posture habits, Kegel exercises, pool noodle relaxation, and strategies for comfort, highlighting the growing role of occupational therapy in pelvic floor health and providing practical tools to support postpartum recovery and participation.
Publication Date
Fall 2025
Publisher
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Keywords
Postpartum, Pelvic floor dysfunction, Pelvic health
Medical Subject Headings
Pelvic floor training, Self-care, Quality of Life, Kegel exercises, Non-surgical management
Disciplines
Maternal and Child Health | Occupational Therapy | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Women's Health
Recommended Citation
Jackson, T., Greer, M. J., & Carver, D. (2025, October 1). Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide for Pelvic Floor Health. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2025/3
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Women's Health Commons
Comments
Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences in Fall 2025.