WOMEN'S HEALTH IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD AND POSTPARTUM RECOVERY

Authors

  • Thaís Ventura Pereira Autor
  • Débora Militão Soares Autor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.024-016

Keywords:

Postpartum, Pelvic floor, Abdomen, Rehabilitation, Core

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze postpartum rehabilitation with a functional focus on the abdominal wall and pelvic floor, providing an evidence-based approach to restore core function, optimize biomechanics, and ensure safe recovery. It is a structured narrative review grounded in clinical studies, international guidelines, and scientific society recommendations, including those from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA). Results indicate that targeted rehabilitation—such as transversus abdominis training, breathing pattern correction, and pelvic floor strengthening and coordination—contributes to reducing abdominal diastasis, improving lumbopelvic stability, and preventing urinary and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The findings suggest that structured, progressive, and individualized physiotherapeutic intervention is essential for restoring global core function in the postpartum period, promoting mechanical efficiency, safety, and enhanced maternal quality of life.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ACOG – American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. ACOG Committee Opinion, n. 804, 2020.

BENJAMIN, D. R. et al. Effects of exercise on diastasis recti abdominis in the postpartum period: a systematic review. Physiotherapy, v. 105, n. 1, p. 1–10, 2019.

BOISSONNAULT, W. G.; BASS, C. R. Women’s Health: Physical Therapy Clinical Handbook. 2. ed. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated, 2020.

BOISSY, P. et al. Postpartum musculoskeletal adaptations: implications for pelvic floor and abdominal wall rehabilitation. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, v. 47, n. 2, p. 65–74, 2023.

BØ, K.; NYGAARD, I. Evidence-based physical therapy for the pelvic floor: what do we know? International Urogynecology Journal, v. 22, p. 105–116, 2020.

DIETZ, H. P. Pelvic floor trauma and modern imaging: implications for postpartum rehabilitation. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, v. 60, n. 5, p. 620–630, 2022.

FERRI, J.; VALENZUELA, P.; LÓPEZ, L. Narrative reviews in physiotherapy: methodological considerations and applications. Physiotherapy Research International, v. 26, n. 4, 2021.

GREENHALGH, T. et al. Narrative research in healthcare: refocusing the lens. BMJ, v. 363, k4672, 2018.

HODGES, P. W.; SANFORD, S.; BØ, K. The integration of breathing, pelvic floor and abdominal muscle function: implications for postpartum recovery. Journal of Applied Physiology, v. 130, p. 1462– 1474, 2021.

ICS – International Continence Society. ICS Standards: Terminology for pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourology and Urodynamics, v. 39, p. 186–194, 2020.

IUGA – International Urogynecological Association. Clinical guidance for postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction management. International Urogynecology Journal, v. 31, p. 2001–2009, 2020.

STUGE, B.; BØ, K. The role of individualized physical therapy in postpartum pelvic girdle pain and core dysfunctions. Manual Therapy, v. 55, p. 12–21, 2021.

Published

2025-12-10

How to Cite

WOMEN’S HEALTH IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD AND POSTPARTUM RECOVERY. (2025). Aurum Editora, 134-141. https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.024-016