Jenna and Rebeca Segraves discuss why they advocate through Enhanced Recovery After Delivery for occupational and physical therapy to be accessible to moms within the first 7 days of giving birth.

Learn more about Enhanced Recovery After Delivery

Dr. Addy Javes, PT, DPT is an acute care physical therapist and author of what is considered to be the first case report published in the U.S. on physical therapy in the hospital after birth.

She shares the story of her patient who was physically active before delivery and who received PT in the hospital after her unexpected c-section.

Dr. Javes describes how patients who recover with PT in the hospital after their major abdominal birth have the advantage of healing earlier than patients who are sent home to navigate their rehab on their own.

For updated information on hospitals in the U.S. that provide occupational and physical therapy earlier than the standard of care after birth, visit: https://pelvichealthnetwork.org/hospitals/.

To learn how to enhance recovery after delivery with occupational and physical therapy starting in the hospital and home, visit: https://enhancedrecoveryafterdelivery.com/.

Case Report

Physical Therapy May Improve Recovery After Cesarean Section During Hospital Admission: A Case Report. Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, April 2025 - Volume 16 - Issue. https://journals.lww.com/jacpt/abstract/2025/04000/physical_therapy_may_improve_recovery_after.3.aspx

Why are new moms often denied proactive occupational and physical therapy after an open abdominal delivery known as a cesarean section? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Michelle Figueira, PT, DPT, a former director of rehab, shares her background as a key influencer behind launching inpatient postpartum rehab services across 12 hospitals. She reveals why hospitals, especially for-profit ones, frequently say "no" to rehab after birth, and what therapists can do to challenge that. Whether you're a clinician looking to advocate for better maternal care or someone navigating hospital politics, this interview offers rare insight from someone who's helped drive real change inside and outside the health system.

Physical therapist, Dr. Lashonda Jones shares her personal experience with c-section recovery and the lack of resources available for new mothers. She discusses the importance of creating a standardized rehab protocol for cesarean delivery, emphasizing the need for education and support for both mothers and healthcare providers. The conversation highlights essential recovery practices, the role of healthcare professionals, and the resources available for mothers to aid in their recovery process.

Access: The Cesarean Delivery Rehab Protocol⁠

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Aha Moment: Understanding C-Section Recovery
2. 03:07 The Need for Standardized Care
3. 05:58 Essential Recovery Practices for New Moms
4. 08:58 Creating a Protocol for C-Section Recovery
5. 12:06 The Role of Healthcare Professionals
6. 14:58 Introducing the Cesarean Delivery Rehab Protocol
7. 18:06 Resources for Moms and Healthcare Providers
8. 20:44 Empowering Moms Through Education
9. 24:00 The Importance of Teamwork in Recovery

Mothers and their birth providers face significant risk within the first few days of childbirth. We discuss what questions every mother should be asked while she is still in the hospital after birth to avoid unnecessary harm.

Dr. Sabina Khan, PhD, OTD, OTR/L shares her personal and clinical experience with occupational therapy after birth, including the support she gives to teen moms during their vulnerable period of life.

Dr. Keshia Bradford is an acute care pelvic health therapist who is transforming postpartum recovery with physical therapy in the hospital. We discuss what you need to know to offer occupational and physical therapy services in the hospital during high-risk pregnancy and within 24 - 48 hours after birth.

Learn more: https://enhancedrecoveryafterdelivery.com/

Meeting Royce Porter, OTR/L was a game changer. Not only does he provide occupational therapy to women in the hospital after birth and hysterectomy, he addresses postpartum depression and mental health concerns related to an unexpected surgery as early as day one of recovery.

As a practicing therapist in both the hospital and outpatient settings, he sees no reason for women to wait 6 or more weeks for rehabilitation services that are provided routinely to people after other common procedures like joint replacement.

To find more U.S. hospitals like the one Royce Porter is trailblazing in that are providing OT and PT on the maternity unit and after hysterectomy, visit: https://pelvichealthnetwork.org/hospitals/

In part 2 of this series, Alexa Pasco details her story just four months after her birth. Her experience reminds us that what happened to her could happen to anyone. The last play we have with preventing heart failure and preeclampsia in the first week after delivery is educating enough people to stay alert and stay involved.

The worst that could happen is for people to not offer a hand when they are needed the most and let our moms slip through the cracks.

A woman who had everything working in her favor experienced medical neglect on multiple occasions after her birth in a U.S. hospital system.

After going through her case, it's apparent that the U.S. healthcare system has started to prioritize the most vulnerable in our society who need the most attention. Which is a good thing! Yay!

Yet, this means that lower risk individuals, specifically middle class White women, must be accountable for their own health and safety while navigating the U.S. healthcare system.

No biggie. You got this. Occupational and Physical Therapists saw this coming once the U.S. surpassed all other high income countries as having the worst maternal health outcomes in the world. Don't panic. Just find a trusted rehab professional near you.

We'll discuss the difference between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and what really matters when it comes to who you need on your team to take control of your health. Both of these professions prep you in different ways to build your support system before you walk into a U.S. hospital to give birth or have major pelvic surgery.

Let's do this.