Beyond the Delivery Room:  The Physical Therapist’s Role in Intrapartum and Early Postpartum Recovery

November 18, 2025 at 7:30 - 8:45 PM 

Location: Virtual

Hosted by the Acute Care SIG

This session explores the critical role physical therapists play in supporting individuals during the intrapartum and early postpartum period. Attendees will review the multi-system physiological changes of pregnancy and examine key statistics on maternal morbidity, mortality, delivery mode, and disparities in outcomes. The presentation will highlight acute rehabilitation opportunities following both vaginal and cesarean deliveries, including management of pain, mobility limitations, pelvic floor dysfunction, and functional impairments. Participants will learn to recognize red flags requiring medical referral, contribute to safe and effective discharge planning, and apply outcome measures specific to postpartum rehabilitation. Finally, the session will address the opportunities and challenges of integrating physical therapy into acute postpartum care to optimize recovery and promote long-term health.

Speaker: Denise Hartzell Leggin PT, DPT, MBA Denise Hartzell Leggin is an expert in pelvic health physical therapy, with over three decades of clinical, academic, and leadership experience. She is the President and Founder of Elite Rehabilitation Solutions, LLC, where she leads initiatives in clinical quality assurance, expert litigation support, and multidisciplinary continuing education program development. Denise holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University, an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy with honors from Russell Sage College. She was recognized with the first coh

Contact Hours: Pending

Registration is free for members and a $10 fee for non-members. After registering, be sure to save your confirmation email, as it contains the Zoom link needed to join the event on the day.