From Physical Changes to Emotional Wellness: A Postpartum Guide by Kelowna Counsellors and Physiotherapists 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Benefits of Working with a Kelowna Physiotherapist
3. Benefits of working with a Counsellor in Kelowna
4. How Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Affects Quality of Life and Mental Health at Home
5. How Postpartum Pelvic Floor Challenges Impact Social Interactions and Relationships
6. Existential Fears and Angst and other emotions that commonly arise During Postpartum Recovery
7. Exercises for Supporting Postpartum Pelvic Floor Recovery: Focusing on the ground up
8. Mental Health Strategies for Coping with emotions related to Postpartum Pelvic Floor Struggles and postpartum in general.
9. Practical Tips for Implementing Physiotherapy and Counselling in Postpartum Recovery
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Where To Find Us
12. Conclusion
13. References

Introduction

Postpartum recovery is a multifaceted journey that extends far beyond physical healing. For many new mothers, the changes in their bodies, particularly those involving the pelvic floor, can intertwine with emotional and mental health challenges. This blog explores how physiotherapy and counselling can work hand-in-hand to support women through these changes brought on through the gift of childbirth.

Drawing from the experiences of countless mothers and scientific literature, we’ll delve into the physical impacts of postpartum pelvic floor issues, their links to mental well-being, and practical strategies for recovery. Whether you’re dealing with incontinence, pain, or feelings of anxiety or depression, understanding these connections can empower you to seek holistic care. In Kelowna, local experts such as Kelowna pelvic floor physiotherapist Sonja Schaefer or Kelowna counsellor Timothy Lamont are dedicated to helping you reclaim your strength and serenity during this pivotal time.

Benefits of Working With A Kelowna Physiotherapist

Engaging a Kelowna physiotherapist specializing in postpartum care can significantly enhance your recovery process. These professionals focus on rebuilding core strength and addressing pelvic floor weaknesses that often arise after childbirth. Key benefits include improved bladder and bowel control, which helps prevent issues like urinary incontinence that affect up to one in three women postpartum (Moossdorff-Steinhauser, Berghmans, Spaanderman & Bols, 2021).

Physiotherapy also aids in reducing pelvic pain and promoting better posture, which can alleviate back strain from carrying and feeding your baby. For those with diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), targeted exercises can restore core strength and functioning, allowing you to return to daily activities with confidence and stability (literally & figuratively!).

In Kelowna, postpartum physiotherapists like those at SCS Physio offer personalized plans that incorporate the client’s schedule, stage of progress, and energy levels, all of which help enhance protocol/exercise adherence,mobility, and quality of life. Early intervention, ideally starting before six weeks postpartum (Selman, et al., 2022), can prevent long-term complications and support a smoother transition back to exercise or work.

Overall, working with a local Kelowna pelvic floor physiotherapist not only accelerates physical healing but also boosts your emotional resilience by restoring a sense of control over your body.

Benefits of Working with a Counsellor in Kelowna

Counselling provides essential emotional support during the postpartum period and beyond, helping mothers navigate the psychological shifts that accompany physical changes. One major benefit is the management of mood disorders, such as postpartum depression or anxiety, which affect about 10-20% and 10-15% of women respectively (Garapati, et al., 2023) and can be exacerbated by physical discomforts like pelvic floor issues.

Through talk therapy, a Kelowna counsellor can help process feelings of overwhelm, isolation, or identity loss, fostering coping skills that improve daily functioning and relationships. In Kelowna, counsellors at places like Unyielding Health & Wellness specialise inconversations around perinatal mental health, offering strategies to build self-compassion and reduce anxiety related to body image, parenting pressures, or societal expectations (among other concerns).

Integrating counselling with physiotherapy creates a comprehensive approach, as emotional well-being directly influences physical recovery; Women who feel supported mentally often adhere better to exercise regimens, leading to faster improvements in pelvic health(Navarro-Brazález, et al., 2021).

How Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Affects Quality of Life and Mental Health at Home

Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), which includes symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, or pain, can profoundly disrupt daily life at home. Simple tasks such as lifting your baby, housekeeping, or even sitting comfortably may become challenging, leading to frustration and reduced independence.

This physical limitation often cascades into mental health struggles, with studies showing that women with PFD are more prone to depression and anxiety due to the constant stress,embarrassment, and temporary loss of their agency over their own body (Modak, et al., 2023). These issues might manifest as avoidance of activities, sleep disturbances from discomfort, or heightened irritability, straining family/socialdynamics.

Overall, untreated PFD diminishes health-related quality of life, affecting emotional reactions, energy levels, and self-esteem. Addressing this through integrated care from a Kelowna physiotherapist and counsellor can restore normalcy, allowing mothers to engage more fully in nurturing their families without the shadow of physical or emotional burden.

How Postpartum Pelvic Floor Challenges Impact Social Interactions and Relationships

Pelvic floor challenges can extend beyond the home, influencing social life and intimate relationships. Incontinence or pain may cause hesitation in attending social gatherings, leading to isolation and strained friendships as mothers opt out of outings or playdates. This withdrawal can amplify feelings of loneliness, a common trigger for postpartum mental health issues (Adlington, et al.,2023).

In romantic relationships, issues like dyspareunia (painful intercourse) often arise, affecting intimacy and potentially causing emotional distance between partners. Communication breakdowns may follow, with one partner feeling rejected or the other inadequate. Socially, the stigma around these “invisible” problems can prevent open discussions, exacerbating and/ or prolonging negative thoughts and feelings.

However, with support from a Kelowna postpartum physiotherapist to alleviate physical symptoms and a Kelowna counsellor to rebuild confidence, many women report improved connections (Zhao, et al., 2025) turning these challenges into opportunities for deeper relational bonds.

Existential Fears and Angst and Other Emotions That Commonly Arise During Postpartum Recovery

Postpartum recovery often stirs deep emotional currents, including existential fears about identity, mortality, and purpose. Many mothers grapple with angst over losing their pre-baby self, questioning “Who am I now?” amid role shifts. Fears of inadequacy as a parent or concerns about the baby’s health can evoke profound anxiety, sometimes manifesting as intrusive thoughts about harm or loss.

Other common emotions include overwhelming sadness (baby blues affecting up to 80% of mothers), irritability, or guilt over not feeling instant joy. Pelvic floor struggles can intensify these, linking physical vulnerability to emotional fragility. Recognising these as normal yet addressable through therapy with a Kelowna counsellor can help normalise the experience, reducing isolation and paving the way for acceptance and growth.

Exercises for Supporting Postpartum Pelvic Floor Recovery: Focusing on the Ground Up

These exercises are safe to start right after giving birth, or whenever you feel ready to begin. Everyone’s postpartum journey is different and some people may not feel ready to begin these exercises until 2-3 weeks postpartum. Trust yourself, you know your body! 

1. Walking 5-15 min at low intensity, 1-2 times per day.
2. Restorative breathing: Lay down or sit nice and tall with your spine in neutral. Place your hands on each side of your lower ribs. Take a big inhale. Try to expand your lower ribs sideways into your hands. Think about breathing 360 degrees into your diaphragm, almost like you are trying to send your breath down into your pelvic floor. Repeat 5-10 times, 2-3 times a day.
3. Gentle core activation: Lie on your back with your knees bent. Optional: place a rolled up towel under the curve of your lower back (this will help you maintain your neutral spine). Inhale and open your knees to the side, while keeping your pelvis still. Exhale to engage your lower abdominals and bring the knees back up. Do 3 sets of 5-10 reps, 1 time per day.
4. Mini bridge: squeeze your glutes (bum muscles) to lift your buttocks a couple of inches off of your bed or the floor. Slowly lower back down. You should not feel this in your lower back. Do 3 sets of 5-10 reps, 1 time per day. 

Mental Health Strategies for Coping with Emotions Related to Postpartum Pelvic Floor Struggles and Postpartum in General

 Postpartum anxiety and depression show up in all areas of life, from our thoughts, behaviours, and socially. Some examples of these include:

Psychologically: Self-esteem, body-image, and confidence deficits may be present. Often in the form of self-defeating thoughts and beliefs such as “I should be able to do [given activity], because I am struggling with that right now, I’m no good”. “My body does not look or perform how I think it should, I am less of a person because of that”. “I am letting down my family in my current weaker state, I can’t stand it!”. All of these types of thoughts take away from our quality of life, and do not offer any productive or helpful

Behaviourally: Avoidance of situations, activities, and people that are normally participated in/with, creating isolation and detracting from quality of life. Often these arise from very real fears of pain arising when moving the body in certain ways or happening when out of the comfort and remedies of the home. Perhaps emboldening feelings and thoughts of being a failure, uselessness, isolation, or helplessness.

Socially: Embarrassment from incontinence, or the perception of letting others down as you “aren’t your usual self that they love to interact with”, negative comparisons to others who are seemingly managing postpartum recovery “better than you”

Some strategies to address these concerns might be:

Psychologically:

1. Reflecting on these self-defeating thoughts and questioning the benefit they provide you (if any) with reflective questions like “How is this thought helpful to me?”; “What evidence is there that my social circle thinks less of me, because of my diminished capabilities”.
2. Creating a set of self-coping statements to counter these types of self-defeating thoughts and turn them towards self-helping ones when they arise. Self-helping thoughts such as “I would prefer it if I were able to participate in [activity] as I normally would, but right now I am recovering from a significant physical change”. These statements can shave the edge off negative emotion and free up the mind from doom and gloom.
3. Accepting your current situation for what it is, the situation, and not identifying with it personally. You are not postpartum mental health concerns, you are an individual that is experiencing new challenges.

Socially:

Building up the courage to have an honest and open conversation with trusted friends and family about your current challenges. During counselling, the client and counsellor could go over fears of self-disclosure, concerns about how people would react if they knew the truth, practical strategies to be comfortable leaving the house, or even how to face would-be embarrassing situations with dignity, compassion, and respect for yourself and others.

Behaviourally:

Counsellors often will encourage clients to continue doing the things they usually love to do,  despite not getting the same amount of pleasure from those activities that they would in their usual mental state. Starting on small achievable goals like preparing or ordering a favourite dish, journalling, or taking time out of their day to reflect on positive happenings or things they are excited about, or even times when the sadness wasn’t as present help, calling a friend or family member for a short call.

Sometimes people who are experiencing sadness wait until they are feeling better to re-engage in their lives as they normally would. However, if one waits until they are feeling better, they may miss the opportunity to discover that they are in fact enjoying a once enjoyable activity despite feeling sad and unmotivated earlier in the day/week. Getting over the hump and finding the motivation to pursue what excites you about life is often the hardest part as anxieties, and fears of failure, poor outcomes, or negative perceptions from others tend to increase the size of that hurdle.

Talking with a counsellor can help you identify small and manageable areas and behaviours you would be able to partake in again and start to build momentum, whether those behaviours are home-bound or social in nature.

Practical Tips for Implementing Physiotherapy and Counselling in Postpartum Recovery

Set realistic goals: Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to pelvic exercises while incorporating techniques from counselling sessions into your daily routine. 

Track progress in a journal, noting physical improvements and emotional shifts. 

Use supportive tools like sitz baths for comfort and apps/Calanders for reminders. 

Involve your partner in sessions for shared understanding, and prioritise rest, aim for 6-8 weeks of gradual integration before intensifying routines. 

Consulting a Kelowna pelvic floor physiotherapist alongside a Kelowna counsellor ensures a tailored, holistic plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction? 

It’s a condition involving weakened pelvic muscles post-childbirth, leading to incontinence, prolapse, or pain.

How does postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction affect mental health? 

It can increase mental health issues like depression and anxiety due to distress and lifestyle impacts.

When should I see a specialist? 

Consider seeing a specialist in Kelowna as soon as symptoms arise, or even pre-scheduling services to get ahead of the curve. Treatments beginning early on often have better results, and can limit negative effects to quality of life than starting later.

Are exercises safe right after birth? 

Recent research (Davenport et al, 2025) has shown that you do not need to wait 6 weeks to begin exercising after giving birth. The Get Active Postpartum Self Assessment tool can be used to help determine readiness to return to exercising (https://csep.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CSEP-PATH_GAQ_PP_Guidelines.pdf).

Trust yourself, you know your body! If you are doing well with the exercises described above, then it is likely time to gradually increase your exercise intensity and start including different types of exercise. If you are unsure of how to do so, you can make an appointment with a physiotherapist to get professional recommendations and a personalized exercise program. 

Seek help if:

-you have pain >3/10 that lasts longer than 20 min after exercise (in abdomen, scar, perineum, anywhere!) 

-incontinence- any! You should not leak when you exercise

-feelings of pressure in perineum or around surgical (C-section) scar

-“something is just not right” 

Can counselling help with physical recovery? 

Yes, by reducing stress that hinders healing, or helping identify barriers to following through with physical treatments.

If You Are Looking For A Kelowna Counsellor Or Physiotherapist In Kelowna To Help With Postpartum Emotions and Physical Changes Here Is Where To Find Us

For expert Kelowna postpartum physiotherapy in Kelowna, please visit SCS Physio

For professional counselling in Kelowna, please visit Unyielding Health and Wellness.

Conclusion

Postpartum recovery thrives on a balanced approach that honours both body and mind. By combining physiotherapy’s physical restoration with counselling’s emotional discovery and guidance, you can navigate challenges like pelvic floor dysfunction with resilience. Remember, seeking help from a Kelowna physiotherapist or counsellor is a strength, not a weakness. In Kelowna, resources abound to support your journey toward wholeness—embrace them for a brighter, healthier future with your family.

References

Adlington, K., Vasquez, C., Pearce, E., Wilson, C. A., Nowland, R., Taylor, B. L., Spring, S., & Johnson, S. (2023). ‘Just snap out of it’ – the experience of loneliness in women with perinatal depression: a Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04532-2

Davenport, M. H., Ruchat, S., Garcia, A., Ali, M. U., Forte, M., Beamish, N., Fleming, K., Adamo, K. B., Brunet-Page, E., Chari, R., Lane, K., Mottola, M. F., Neil-Sztramko, S. E. (2025) ‘2025 Canadian guideline for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep throughout the first year postpartum’ British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-109785

Garapati, J., Jajoo, S., Aradhya, D., Reddy, L. S., Dahiphale, S. M., & Patel, D. J. (2023). Postpartum Mood Disorders: Insights into Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment. Cureus, 15(7), e42107. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42107

Modak, A., Ronghe, V., Gomase, K. P., Mahakalkar, M. G., & Taksande, V. (2023). A Comprehensive Review of Motherhood and Mental Health: Postpartum Mood Disorders in Focus. Cureus, 15(9), e46209. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46209

Moossdorff-Steinhauser, H. F. A., Berghmans, B. C. M., Spaanderman, M. E. A., & Bols, E. M. J. (2021). Prevalence, incidence and bothersomeness of urinary incontinence between 6 weeks and 1 year post-partum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International urogynecology journal, 32(7), 1675–1693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-021-04877-w

Navarro-Brazález, B., Vergara-Pérez, F., Prieto-Gómez, V., Sánchez-Sánchez, B., Yuste-Sánchez, M. J., & Torres-Lacomba, M. (2021). What Influences Women to Adhere to Pelvic Floor Exercises after Physiotherapy Treatment? A Qualitative Study for Individualized Pelvic Health Care. Journal of personalized medicine, 11(12), 1368. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11121368

Selman, R., Early, K., Battles, B., Seidenburg, M., Wendel, E., & Westerlund, S. (2022). Maximizing Recovery in the Postpartum Period: A Timeline for Rehabilitation from Pregnancy through Return to Sport. International journal of sports physical therapy, 17(6), 1170–1183. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.37863

Zhao, C. Y., Han, S. Q., Peng, X. C., & Liu, Z. H. (2025). Individualized pelvic floor rehabilitation training on psychological and functional recovery in postpartum women with generalized anxiety disorder. World journal of psychiatry, 15(6), 103738. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v15.i6.103738