ACOG endorses physical therapy for postpartum care!

OB-GYNs Embrace the ‘Fourth Trimester’ and Highlight Physical Therapy in Postpartum Care

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is redefining postpartum care by embracing the concept of the “fourth trimester”—the first 12 weeks after childbirth—as a critical period requiring ongoing, personalized support. Moving beyond the traditional single 6-week checkup, ACOG now recommends earlier and multiple postpartum visits, promoting a comprehensive, team-based approach to maternal health.

A significant development in this updated guidance is the formal recognition of physical therapy as an essential part of postpartum care. Physical therapists bring specialized expertise in assessing and treating urinary and fecal incontinence, perinatal musculoskeletal issues such as pelvic girdle and low back pain, sexual dysfunction, diastasis recti, and painful scar tissue. This expertise complements the work of other healthcare providers and offers new mothers effective options to recover and regain their quality of life.

In a joint letter to ACOG, Carrie Pagliano, PT, DPT, president of the APTA Section on Women’s Health, and APTA President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, applauded the inclusion of physical therapists as integral members of the postpartum care team. They emphasized that establishing physical therapy as a standard of care will expand resources available to women during this vital phase.

This shift opens doors for improved access, prevention, and treatment of postpartum challenges—shedding light on a phase of care that has historically been overlooked and empowering women on their path to recovery.

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