When Do You Need a Movement & Wellness Doula — and When Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy the Right Step?
If you’ve been pregnant, given birth, or are navigating postpartum recovery, you’ve likely heard terms like pelvic floor therapy, core rehab, or postpartum exercise. It can be confusing to know where to start, who to see, or what kind of support is most appropriate.
The truth is, these aren’t competing options. A Perinatal Movement & Wellness Doula and a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PFPT) play different but complementary roles in helping you heal, move, and thrive after pregnancy.
Understanding the Difference
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT)
A PFPT is a licensed medical professional specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. They provide both internal and external assessments to address conditions such as:
Urinary incontinence or leakage
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pain with intercourse
Diastasis recti abdominis (abdominal separation)
Pelvic or low back pain related to muscle imbalance or tissue trauma
Evidence supports PFPT as an effective, first-line treatment for many postpartum pelvic floor concerns — improving function, pain, and quality of life.[¹][²]
Perinatal Movement & Wellness Doula
As a Perinatal Movement & Wellness Doula, my work begins where clinical care leaves off — or often, alongside it. I provide non-clinical, evidence-informed guidance that helps bridge the gap between your healthcare provider’s recommendations and your daily life.
I help women:
Integrate pelvic floor therapy exercises into daily routines
Rebuild strength and movement patterns through Pilates, yoga, and functional training
Improve breath mechanics, posture, and coordination
Support blood pressure, blood sugar, and stress resilience through lifestyle coaching
Build consistency and confidence with movement that fits their season of motherhood
Where a PFPT focuses on rehabilitation and diagnosis, my focus is implementation and integration — helping you apply what you’ve learned safely, sustainably, and confidently.
When to Start with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
You should seek evaluation from a PFPT if you experience:
Persistent pelvic pain, heaviness, or pressure
Leakage when coughing, sneezing, or exercising
Pain during intimacy
Difficulty activating or relaxing the pelvic floor
Significant or unresolved diastasis recti
Ongoing discomfort that limits daily movement
Early assessment matters. Research shows that timely postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation improves long-term outcomes, reducing urinary incontinence and musculoskeletal pain.[³]
When a Movement & Wellness Doula Is Right for You
If you’ve been cleared for exercise but still feel unsure where to start, or if your care team has encouraged more movement to support heart, blood sugar, or mental health — that’s where a movement and wellness doula can help.
I work with women who:
Want to stay active safely during pregnancy and postpartum
Need guidance to rebuild core and full-body strength
Seek accountability and holistic support for exercise, nutrition, and recovery
Want to make their healthcare provider’s recommendations part of daily life
This is non-clinical, personalized guidance — an approach built on compassion, education, and evidence.
Working Together: Movement + Therapy
The best outcomes come from collaboration.
Current research emphasizes that multidisciplinary postpartum care — combining clinical rehabilitation and lifestyle interventions — significantly improves functional recovery, mental health, and overall well-being.[⁴][⁵]
Here’s how collaboration supports you:
Your PFPT focuses on restoring muscle coordination and tissue healing.
Your Movement & Wellness Doula builds upon that foundation, reinforcing those changes through ongoing movement, strength, and habit integration.
Together, we help you transition from early rehabilitation to long-term strength and vitality.
You don’t have to choose between medical support and movement support — you deserve both.
A Gentle Takeaway
Every postpartum journey is different. Some women need structured rehabilitation, others need guided movement, and most need a combination. Healing isn’t about “bouncing back” — it’s about rebuilding forward, with the right support at the right time.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start the conversation. Together, we’ll identify what your body needs and how to move forward with clarity, strength, and confidence.
About the Author
Amanda Hershberg, CPT, NBC-HWC, PCES, RYT
Founder of MOVE Like A Mother 757 and a Perinatal Movement & Wellness Doula, Amanda combines evidence-based movement, Pilates, yoga, and corrective exercise with board-certified health and wellness coaching. She partners with clients and their clinical care teams to translate medical recommendations into practical, sustainable movement and lifestyle habits that support every stage of motherhood.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist for personalized medical guidance.
References
[¹] Bø, K., & Hilde, G. (2013). Does it work in the long term?—A systematic review on pelvic floor muscle training for female stress urinary incontinence. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 32(3), 215–223.
[²] Mørkved, S., & Bø, K. (2014). Effect of pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy and after childbirth on prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence: A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(4), 299–310.
[³] Dumoulin, C. et al. (2018). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women: A Cochrane systematic review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 10, CD005654.
[⁴] Davenport, M.H. et al. (2018). Impact of prenatal and postpartum exercise on maternal cardiometabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(21), 1367–1375.
[⁵] Daley, A.J., et al. (2015). Exercise for postnatal depression: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 351, h3739.
