How Stress Affects Your Pelvic Floor with Hayley Kava PT, MPT (A Revisit)

Did you know that stress and anxiety can affect your pelvic floor health? When we experience stress, our bodies often hold tension in unexpected places, including the pelvic floor. For pregnant and postpartum people, this tension can contribute to pelvic pain, discomfort, and other symptoms that are easy to overlook. But how can you tell if stress is affecting your pelvic floor, and what can you do to find relief?

In this revisit episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Deb Flashenberg welcomes pelvic floor physical therapist Hayley Kava, PT, MPT, to explore the connection between stress, anxiety, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Together, they discuss how the nervous system and hormonal stress response can influence pelvic floor tension, why relaxation is just as important as strength, and how exhaustion may play a role in pelvic discomfort. They also explore the fascinating connection between jaw tension, breathing, and the pelvic floor.

Whether you’re pregnant, navigating postpartum recovery, or experiencing pelvic floor symptoms, this conversation offers insight into understanding your body and finding ways to release tension. You’ll learn why pelvic floor health isn’t just about doing Kegels, how to recognize signs of an overly tight pelvic floor, and when working with a pelvic floor physical therapist may be beneficial.

In this episode we discuss:

• How stress and anxiety contribute to pelvic floor tension and pain
• The relationship between the nervous system, stress hormones, and pelvic floor function
• Signs of an overly tight or overactive pelvic floor beyond pain
• Relaxation techniques that may help release pelvic floor tension
• The connection between the jaw, throat, breath, and pelvic floor
• When to seek support from a pelvic floor physical therapist

About Hayley:

Hayley Kava, PT, MPT, is a pelvic floor physical therapist whose passion for pelvic health began after her own experience with childbirth and postpartum recovery. Recognizing how physically and emotionally demanding this transition can be, Hayley became committed to helping others better understand their pelvic floor health. She founded Hayley Kava Physical Therapy to provide education, support, and compassionate care for people navigating pelvic floor challenges, with the goal of making sure no one feels alone in their experience.

Connect with Hayley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hayleykavapt
Tiktok: @hayleykavapt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hayleykava
Youtube: Hayley Kava, Physical Therapist 
Podcast: The Don’t Beat Around the Bush Podcast

This episode is brought to you by beYogi offering professional liability insurance designed specifically for yoga teachers and wellness professionals. Whether you’re already teaching or just beginning your teacher training, beYogi helps protect you so you can focus on supporting your students. Yoga Birth Babies listeners receive $20 off an exclusive professional insurance membership. Visit beYogi.com/yogabirthbabies (https://beyogi.com/yogabirthbabies) to claim your discount.

Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:

• Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE 
• If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram, Tik Tok, & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center