The fourth trimester is real
The first 12 weeks after birth — the "fourth trimester" — ask an enormous amount of a body that just did one of the biggest physiological events of a lifetime. Most moms are told to wait 6 weeks and then return to normal. That timeline doesn't match the physiology.
Whether birth was vaginal or cesarean, unmedicated or highly supported, your body spent months adapting and then delivered. Recovery is not linear.
Common postpartum patterns we see
- Pelvic instability — especially if there was symphysis pain during pregnancy
- Low back pain — often from nursing posture, lifting from awkward angles, and reduced core activation
- Upper back and neck tension — from hours of nursing or bottle-feeding and looking down
- Wrist pain ("mommy thumb") — from the hand position of lifting and supporting a baby
- Pelvic floor heaviness — sensation of dropping or pressure
- C-section scar tension — pulling, numbness, or tightness around the incision
- Anxiety and disrupted sleep — beyond what the baby's wake schedule alone explains
What postpartum chiropractic offers
- Gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments — restoring motion that shifted during pregnancy and birth
- Soft-tissue work on ribs, upper back, glutes, and adductors — easing the downstream pulls of nursing and carrying
- Scar tissue mobilization, when indicated — gentle, patient-led work around C-section or episiotomy scars (at the appropriate time, with surgeon clearance)
- Nursing positioning guidance — small adjustments that take pressure off the neck and wrists
- Nervous system recovery — HRV-based INSiGHT scans show us whether your body is still stuck in sympathetic overdrive and helps guide pace of return to activity
We're also happy to coordinate with your pelvic floor PT. Chiropractic and pelvic floor PT together is one of the most effective pairings for postpartum recovery.
When to start postpartum care
Most moms begin care anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks postpartum, depending on birth, comfort, and recovery trajectory. There's no single rule — we'll meet you where you are.
If you had:
- A cesarean birth — wait until you're cleared for gentle activity; we'll focus on upper back, neck, ribs, and cranial tension until scar work is appropriate.
- A perineal injury or severe tearing — coordinate with your pelvic floor PT and OB before starting pelvic adjustments.
- A straightforward vaginal birth — many moms come in around 2–4 weeks when the initial immediate recovery has settled.