Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy
in Jacksonville, FL

Specialized pelvic and women’s health PT for every stage of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. One-on-one, concierge care with Dr. Alex Hill, PT, DPT, OnCS, PWCS, CLT-LANA.

Your Body Is Doing Something Remarkable. You Deserve Support.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring profound changes to your body, and not all of them are easy to navigate. Pelvic pain, leaking, back and hip discomfort, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), painful intercourse after birth, and uncertainty about returning to exercise are all common experiences that deserve real clinical attention, not just a "that's normal, it will pass" response from a busy provider.

At OncoPelvic PT in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Alex Hill provides individualized, evidence-based pelvic health physical therapy for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Every session is one-on-one, unhurried, and designed around your specific concerns and goals, whether you are 10 weeks pregnant, 6 weeks postpartum, or 2 years out from delivery and still dealing with symptoms no one took seriously.

About Dr. Alex Hill, PT, DPT, OnCS, PWCS, CLT-LANA

Dr. Alex Hill is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and a board-certified Pelvic and Women's Health Clinical Specialist (PWCS) with dual board certification in oncologic physical therapy (OnCS). She earned her DPT from the University of Florida and completed a Women's Health Physical Therapy Residency at Duke Health, one of the most rigorous training programs in women’s and pelvic health PT in the country.

With over 12 years of experience and a focus on the whole person, Dr. Alex is a provider who listens, explains, and actually addresses what you came in for. Her clinic is private, calm, and keeps you at the center of your care.


Prenatal Physical Therapy in Jacksonville

Pregnancy is not a reason to simply endure discomfort. Pelvic health PT during pregnancy can reduce pain, prepare your body for labor and delivery, and set you up for a smoother postpartum recovery. Dr. Alex works with patients throughout all trimesters and beyond.

Common Prenatal Concerns Treated at OncoPelvic PT

  • Pelvic girdle pain (PGP), including pubic symphysis pain (SPD) and sacroiliac joint (SI joint) pain

  • Round ligament pain

  • Low back pain and hip pain during pregnancy

  • Pregnancy-related pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary leaking or urgency

  • Prenatal swelling and edema management

  • Rib and thoracic pain from postural changes

  • Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) prevention and management during pregnancy

  • Birth preparation, including pushing mechanics, perineal preparation, and breathing strategies for labor

  • Tailbone (coccyx) pain

  • Constipation and bowel concerns during pregnancy

Birth Preparation: What to Expect

Whether you are planning a vaginal birth or a cesarean, preparing your body and your pelvic floor can make a meaningful difference in your experience and your recovery. Birth prep sessions at OncoPelvic PT typically cover pushing and breathing strategies for labor, perineal massage instruction and tissue preparation, pelvic floor relaxation and lengthening techniques, optimal positioning and body mechanics for labor utilizing biofeedback technology, and what to expect during the postpartum recovery period. Many patients find that one or two dedicated birth prep visits in the third trimester is one of the more valuable appointments they have during their entire pregnancy.

Postpartum Physical Therapy in Jacksonville

The standard "6-week clearance" appointment does not tell you whether your pelvic floor has recovered, whether your abdominal muscles have reconnected, or whether it is safe to return to running, lifting, or sex. A postpartum pelvic health evaluation at OncoPelvic PT does.

Dr. Alex sees postpartum patients at any stage: newly cleared at 6 weeks, months out from delivery with lingering symptoms, or years postpartum dealing with issues that were never properly addressed. It is never too late to get the care you deserve.

Common Postpartum Concerns Treated at OncoPelvic PT

  • Diastasis recti (abdominal separation): assessment, safe exercise progression, and functional recovery

  • Urinary leaking with coughing, sneezing, running, jumping, or laughing

  • Urinary urgency and overactive bladder

  • Pelvic organ prolapse: bulge, heaviness, or pressure in the vaginal area

  • Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) after vaginal delivery or cesarean

  • C-section scar tissue adhesions and scar sensitivity

  • Perineal scar pain or tearing recovery

  • Postpartum low back, hip, and pelvic girdle pain

  • Postpartum swelling and edema in the legs and feet

  • Body mechanics for lifting, carrying, and nursing to protect your back and pelvic floor

  • Safe return to exercise, including running, weightlifting, and high-impact activity

  • Tailbone pain following delivery

  • Bowel changes including constipation or difficulty with bowel movements postpartum

Body Mechanics and Return to Activity

One of the most practical and underrated parts of postpartum PT is learning how to move in ways that support your healing body. Dr. Alex addresses how to pick up your baby without straining your back or pelvic floor, how to transition between sitting, standing, and lying down safely in early recovery, how to safely progress back into exercise based on what your body is actually ready for (not just what week you are postpartum), and how to manage infant feeding positions to reduce neck, shoulder, and wrist strain.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your initial evaluation at OncoPelvic PT is 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your concerns. Dr. Alex will take a thorough history of your pregnancy, delivery, and current symptoms, discuss your goals for treatment, and perform a comprehensive physical examination. The physical examination typically includes an assessment of your posture, hip and abdominal muscles, pelvic floor function, and any scar tissue or musculoskeletal concerns.

You will leave your first visit with a clear picture of what is going on in your body, why it is happening, and a plan to address it. No vague reassurances. No homework without explanation. Just honest, expert clinical care.

Fees and Insurance

OncoPelvic PT is a private-pay, out-of-network (OON) physical therapy practice. We do not bill insurance directly. Choosing this model allows for fully individualized care without insurance restrictions on your treatment plan. Every session with Dr. Alex is delivered one-on-one in a private setting, in clinic or virtually, so your care fits your life as well as your needs. Appointments are never double booked or rushed, and include secure, direct messaging access between visits to support your progress.

Many patients with commercial PPO insurance plans are able to submit receipts for out-of-network reimbursement, and we provide the documentation you need for that process. HSA and FSA payments are accepted. We are unable to see patients with Medicare or Medicaid as their primary insurance.

A worksheet to help you understand your out-of-network insurance benefits is available HERE.

Why Jacksonville Families Choose OncoPelvic PT

  • Board-certified Pelvic and Women's Health & Oncology Clinical Specialist with a Duke Health residency background

  • Every session is one-on-one with Dr. Alex, never a tech, aide, or rotating provider

  • Unhurried 60 to 90-minute appointments designed around you, not a treatment template

  • Private, comfortable clinic environment in the San Marco and Lakewood area of Jacksonville

  • Telehealth available for many prenatal and postpartum concerns

  • Inclusive care welcoming all gender identities and family structures

  • Honest, evidence-based guidance on what your body actually needs to recover

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start pelvic floor PT during pregnancy?

There is no wrong time to start. Many patients begin in the first trimester for pelvic girdle pain or bladder concerns, while others come in the third trimester specifically for birth preparation. If you are experiencing pain, leaking, or discomfort at any point during pregnancy, that is reason enough to schedule an evaluation.

How soon after delivery can I start postpartum PT?

You do not need to wait until your 6-week clearance to begin postpartum PT. In the early weeks after delivery, Dr. Alex can address breathing, posture, body mechanics, and gentle pelvic floor reconnection without internal assessment. A full pelvic floor evaluation is typically appropriate starting around 6 weeks postpartum, with guidance from your OB or midwife.

I had my baby 2 years ago. Is it too late for postpartum PT?

Absolutely not! Postpartum symptoms like leaking, prolapse, pelvic pain, and diastasis recti do not simply resolve on their own for many people, and they are treatable at any point in your life. Dr. Alex regularly works with patients who are months or years postpartum and finally getting the care they were told was not available to them.

Do you provide pelvic floor PT for cesarean recovery?

Yes. C-section recovery involves its own set of pelvic floor and abdominal considerations, including scar tissue adhesions, changes to abdominal muscle function, and pelvic floor symptoms that can occur even without a vaginal delivery. Dr. Alex has specific training in cesarean scar rehabilitation and postpartum abdominal recovery.

Do I need a referral?

In Florida, you can begin physical therapy without a physician referral thanks to direct access laws. This means you can schedule your evaluation and start treatment right away.

However, Florida law limits physical therapy without a referral to 30 consecutive calendar days for any condition not previously assessed by a practitioner of record. After that, if you need to continue care, we'll need a signed plan of care or referral from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse (ARNP), chiropractor, podiatrist, or dentist. You must have a medical provider who provides you either with a referral to PT or who is willing to sign the plan of care.

If your insurance plan requires one for OON reimbursement, please ensure your referral is placed before scheduling an appointment.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?

Whether you are newly pregnant, fresh from delivery, or years postpartum and finally ready to address what has been bothering you, Dr. Alex is here to help. Request an appointment online or call directly. Same-week appointments are often available.

Have more questions? Send a note: oncopelvicpt.com/contact

Phone: (904) 544-9140

Location: 4241 Baymeadows Rd, Suite 16, Jacksonville, Florida 32217. In-clinic and telehealth appointments available.