Depok-The postpartum period is a crucial phase in women’s health that requires special attention. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023 showed that more than 40 million women worldwide experience long-term health problems due to childbirth each year. These conditions can persist for months to years after delivery, ranging from chronic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction to urinary incontinence and mental health disorders.
The WHO also notes that approximately 13 percent of women who have just given birth experience mental health problems, particularly postpartum depression, which can impact the mother’s quality of life and the care of her baby if not properly managed. This demonstrates that the postpartum period is not only about physical recovery after childbirth, but also about the mother’s overall health and well-being.
In an effort to improve students’ understanding of postpartum care from a physiotherapy perspective, the Physiotherapy study program in the Vocational Education Program at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a guest lecture as part of the Women’s Health and Integumentary Physiotherapy course on May 21, 2026. The event featured Syeila Adnin, S.Tr.Ft., a physiotherapist specializing in women’s health and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
In her presentation, Syeila explained that the postpartum period is a complex phase because it involves the simultaneous recovery of various body systems, from the core muscles, pelvic floor muscles, musculoskeletal system, to the mother’s emotional state. Therefore, the rehabilitation approach provided to patients should not only focus on pain reduction but also support the recovery of overall body function. “As complex as the postpartum condition is, we often assume the mother’s struggle ends when the baby is born. In fact, that is precisely where her new struggle begins,” said Syeila.
According to her, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in supporting the postpartum recovery process for mothers, enabling them to comfortably carry out daily activities, improve their quality of life, and prevent long-term complications that can arise from pelvic floor dysfunction. In the lecture, students were introduced to various postpartum recovery approaches widely used in women’s health physiotherapy practices. These include diaphragmatic breathing exercises, pelvic floor relaxation or reverse Kegel exercises, pelvic stretching, and external and internal manual therapies aimed at reducing pain, improving tissue mobility, and enhancing pelvic floor muscle function.
(Photo: Practical session during lecture)
In addition to discussing the technical aspects of therapy, Syeila also encouraged students to understand the importance of a holistic approach in postpartum care. She explained that the recovery process cannot be handled in isolation, as the mother’s physical and psychological conditions are interconnected. Therefore, multidisciplinary collaboration between physiotherapists, doctors, midwives, psychologists, and family support is necessary for optimal recovery.
She also highlighted the importance of properly understanding diastasis recti. She noted that this condition is often considered merely an aesthetic issue, yet it can impact body stability, core muscle function, posture, and even a woman’s mental health after childbirth. Syeila added, “As physiotherapists, we are not just pain relievers. We are part of a support system for women who have just given birth, both physically and mentally.”
The Head of the Physiotherapy Study Program, Faizah Abdullah, SSt., S.Ft., M.Biomed., said that understanding postpartum health is an important competency for prospective physiotherapists because the need for rehabilitation services for postpartum women continues to increase.
According to Faizah, students need to understand that postpartum conditions encompass a mother’s overall quality of life. Knowledge of pelvic floor rehabilitation, pain management, and support for the patient’s physical and mental health are essential components of modern, patient-centered physiotherapy services. Faizah said, “We want students to understand the importance of postpartum conditions for a mother. The presence of experienced practitioners will provide an understanding of how physiotherapy plays a role in pelvic floor recovery, pain management, and supporting the physical and mental health of postpartum patients.”
In addition to enriching academic insight, this guest lecture also provided a practical overview of the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in women’s health physiotherapy services. This activity is also in line with the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), which focuses on improving the health and well-being of people at all ages. By strengthening student competencies in women’s health physiotherapy and postpartum recovery, UI Vocational contributes to efforts to improve the quality of maternal health services, support optimal postpartum recovery, and encourage the realization of a better quality of life for women and their families.
