Pelvic Floor Q&A with Susan
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens during pelvic floor physical therapy—or why everyone keeps talking about “Kegels”—you’re not alone.
Recently, Utah Prenatal Yoga hosted a live online Q&A with Susan Mclaughlin a local physical therapist who specializes in pregnancy and postpartum care. The conversation was honest, funny, and full of those “ohhh, that makes sense” moments that you only get when someone truly understands how the body works.
Here’s a quick recap of what we learned together.
What Actually Happens in Pelvic Floor PT?
No one’s rushing you into anything. Each session begins with conversation, education, and meeting you where you are in the moment. An internal assessment may be offered but is always optional. The focus is on understanding how the pelvic floor works with your breath, core, and movement—not just on “doing a Kegel (Spoiler! You might not need to be doing Kegels!)
How Do You Know If You’re Doing a Kegel Right?
Most of us don’t! A true Kegel is a gentle lift upward—like your muscles drawing in toward your belly button—followed by a full release. It’s not about clenching; it’s about awareness and coordination. Susan explained that your pelvic floor should also respond automatically when you laugh, cough, or sneeze (a detail that surprised many of us).
The Breath–Pelvic Floor Connection
One of the biggest lightbulb moments was realizing how closely the pelvic floor and diaphragm are connected. On an inhale, the diaphragm moves down and the pelvic floor lengthens. On the exhale, it naturally shortens. Reconnecting these rhythms can improve stability, reduce tension, and support recovery.
Strength and Tension are Not the Same Thing
A healthy pelvic floor needs full range of motion to be considered “strong”. Many of us unknowingly hold tension in this area from stress, posture, or years of sitting, etc. Susan reminded us that true strength means being able to both activate and release—and sometimes, the most healing thing we can do is simply let the muscles rest.
You’re Not Alone in This
Attendees shared stories of feeling disconnected from their bodies, unsure of what’s normal, or nervous about the cost of therapy. The conversation reminded us that pelvic health is a vital part of pregnancy and postpartum care! Everyone deserves access to it and if the cost is ever a concern, discuss this with your PT. Keep in mind that in some cases, cash pay options may actually be less than using insurance- make sure to check that out!
You can connect with Susan and learn more about her work at Align Integration and Movement and check out our upcoming prenatal yoga classes for more ways to connect with your body before, during, and after birth.
