Pelvic Health Through Pregnancy and Postpartum

Free Educational Workshop with Dara Clauson

Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period bring significant changes to the body, and the pelvic floor plays a key role throughout each stage. In this educational and approachable talk, we’ll explore how the pelvic floor supports the body during pregnancy, birth, and recovery—and how to care for it along the way.

We’ll begin with a simple, accessible explanation of what the pelvic floor is, where it’s located, and the important role it plays in bladder and bowel function, core stability, and everyday movement. You’ll also learn what pelvic floor therapy actually looks like and how it can support people during pregnancy and after birth. Common concerns such as leaking, pelvic pressure, pain, abdominal weakness, and returning to movement will be discussed, along with why help is available at any stage—not just immediately postpartum.

We’ll then look at how pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum recovery affect the pelvic floor and core, including which changes are common, what symptoms often come up, and why healing continues well beyond the first six weeks. The talk will wrap up with simple, practical ways to support pelvic floor health, offering gentle strategies you can start using right away or integrate into pregnancy and postpartum life. These include 360-degree breathing, posture and movement awareness, and healthy bowel and bladder habits that support healing and function.

Dara Clauson (she/her) is an Occupational Therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy, with over 17 years of clinical experience across long-term care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home-based therapy. Her holistic approach is deeply informed by both this broad clinical background and her personal experience recovering from a severe birth injury, allowing her to provide highly practical, individualized care in your own environment.

She has pursued a breadth of advanced pelvic health training including the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1 course, OT Pioneers, and has completed the Level 1 Functional Pelvic Health Practitioner Certification. This depth of education supports thorough, evidence-informed evaluation and high-quality treatment.

When she's not working, she enjoys life with her husband and two daughters, playing board games, curling up with a good book, and knitting. Depending on the time of year you can also see her outside in her dahlia patch and vegetable garden, or spending time on the slopes.