Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum with Joanna Pavlak the Fertility PT

When you hear “pelvic floor physical therapy,” most people think postpartum recovery. And while that’s true, there’s so much more to it. In this episode of A Bridge to Motherhood, I sat down with Joanna Pavlak, a physical therapist who specializes in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care. She opened my eyes to a whole new side of pelvic floor therapy I had never heard about before—especially how it can play a role in fertility.

If you’ve ever wondered what pelvic floor PT can actually do for you, whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or healing postpartum, this conversation is packed with hope and practical insight.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The myths and truths about pelvic floor physical therapy for new moms and moms-to-be

• Why understanding your pelvic floor is essential for fertility, pregnancy, and birth recovery

• How a first visit with a pelvic floor physical therapist really looks (and what you can expect)

• … and a whole lot more!

Misconceptions About Pelvic Floor Therapy

One of the biggest misconceptions Joanna hears is that infertility can only be treated with IVF. While pelvic PT can support women going through IVF, there are also many hands-on and holistic strategies to try beforehand. Joanna uses techniques like visceral manipulation and fascia mobilization, which improve blood flow, reduce scar tissue, and help the body function at its best.

Another myth? That pelvic PT is only for postpartum. Many people don’t realize therapy can help before pregnancy and during pregnancy, too. Think: preparing your body for conception, reducing discomforts while expecting, and strengthening core and pelvic balance to make recovery smoother.

You Don’t Have to Live with Symptoms

I shared with Joanna how much I wish I had started PT earlier. After my second child, I discovered that imbalances in my pelvis may have contributed to complications—and could have been worked on before pregnancy.

So many moms think they have to live with symptoms like leaking, bowel issues, pain, or weakness. Joanna reminds us: just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal. You don’t have to settle. Healing is possible.

How Pelvic Floor Therapy Supports Fertility

Fertility can be deeply personal and emotional. Joanna explained how pelvic PT helps by improving blood flow to the ovaries, uterus, and surrounding organs. Scar tissue, endometriosis, gut health issues, or even years of painful periods can all restrict mobility and impact fertility.

Pelvic PT also supports hormonal regulation. For example, the ovaries are part of the endocrine system, influencing thyroid function and stress feedback loops. By working on the pelvic region, Joanna helps optimize these systems, giving the body a stronger foundation for conception.

Secondary Infertility and Postpartum Recovery

Secondary infertility—struggling to conceive after already having a child—is more common than many realize. Pregnancy itself can amplify imbalances, and birth experiences (especially C-sections) add scar tissue and impact core strength. Hormonal fluctuations, especially with extended breastfeeding, can also affect fertility.

Through scar tissue management, alignment work, and helping women reconnect with their pelvic region, PT can be an important step in healing and moving forward.

During Pregnancy: Preparing for Labor and Easing Discomfort

Pelvic PT isn’t just for recovery—it’s also a preventative tool during pregnancy. Joanna helps her patients reduce strain, build core strength, and prepare for labor. This can ease back pain, pubic symphysis pain, urinary leakage, or even diastasis recti (which most women experience to some degree).

And here’s something important: pelvic PT and chiropractic care can work beautifully together. Joanna emphasized that having a multidisciplinary team—multiple eyes on your body—can only improve outcomes.

Making Time for Care

As a mom, I know how hard it feels to add “one more appointment.” But I’ve found that when I make time for my own care, everything improves—my energy, my emotions, and my ability to show up for my family. Joanna’s practice even offers on-site childcare and a family-friendly environment, because she gets it.

What to Expect in a First Visit

If you’ve never been to pelvic floor therapy, here’s what Joanna shared about a typical first visit:

• A detailed conversation about your history, symptoms, and goals

• A movement and breathing assessment

• External evaluation of pelvic floor function (internal exams are not required at the first visit, and may not be necessary at all)

• Gentle hands-on treatment, like abdominal work or scar tissue mobilization

• A few simple take-home exercises

Joanna treats from a trauma-informed perspective, always with consent and explanation. Every care plan is individualized—there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Encouragement for Moms

When I asked Joanna what she’d tell a mom feeling disconnected from her body, her response gave me chills:

“You’re not broken. Your body is communicating with you. Your pelvic health is central to your overall wellness, and you deserve individualized care. There are answers—and you are not alone.”

That’s exactly the hope so many of us need to hear.

Connect with Joanna

If you’re local to the Akron/Cleveland, Ohio area, Joanna’s practice is opening soon at Altitude Social House in Fairlawn (in the same building as Rogue Awakening Yoga).

📩 Email: joanna@fertilitypt.com

🌐 Website: fertilitypt.com

📱 Instagram: @fertility.pt

If you’re not local, Joanna recommends Triggered Academy’s provider directory.

Your Next Step…

✨ Download the Postpartum Mental Health Toolkit: A Resource Guide for New Moms. It’s totally free and filled with simple, practical tools to care for your emotional well-being while you heal.

---

featured blogs

---