Physical therapy for women who want to feel strong and confident through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life.
I’ve been passionate about physical therapy for as long as I can remember, but helping moms feel capable and strong in their own bodies is truly the job of my dreams. After completing my undergraduate and doctorate degrees at Vanderbilt and Belmont, I began to work with female athletes in my sports residency program. There, I started to understand that pelvic floor issues are common — but so are the misconceptions about them. Now, with my doctorate in physical therapy, I’m committed to educating as many women as I can about how strong they truly are.
Our bodies were designed to grow and birth babies. But bringing a new life into the world doesn’t have to mean the end of our own body as we know it. Pelvic floor issues during pregnancy and postpartum are absolutely treatable – even preventable. With the right care, you can regain the strength and control you need to enjoy all of your favorite workouts (yes, even running and jumping). Pelvic floor physical therapy is not included in most standard care here in the US, but I’m doing everything I can to change that, because I want women everywhere to see their strength and find their confidence again. Better yet, I hope they never lose it in the first place.
hi! I'm dr. mae hughes
You are powerful, mama.
Work out like you know it.
When I found out I was pregnant, I started to work out like I was training for a very specific kind of marathon — because I was. Labor and delivery is no cakewalk, and I wanted to walk into my birthing suite strong, confident, and ready. I incorporated safe cardio throughout my pregnancy, and I was lifting heavy weights the very morning before I welcomed my little girl into the world.
As it turns out, training well during pregnancy is a major key to a healthy postpartum journey. If labor and delivery is a marathon, then motherhood is like being handed a 7-pound dumbbell just as you cross the finish line that continues to get heavier with every passing week. Building strength and stamina will take you from pregnant to postpartum without chronic pain, even as you carry the carseat or lean over into the crib every night.
vanderbilt university /
bachelors in science
BELMONT UNIVERSITY /
sports physical therapy residency
vanderbilt /
doctors in physical therapy
Movement
Motherhood
for
My husband and I have checked quite a few off of our list as a couple, but I think it’ll be even more fun to explore as a family.
One day, I hope to visit every National Park in the USA.
I’m in a sand volleyball league here in Nashville, and I love it!
My competitive side comes out most in the sand, not the gym.
My husband and dog love the outdoors just as much as I do, and I know we’ll raise our little girl to feel the same way.
When I’m not with clients, you’ll often find me on hikes or walking trails with my family.
I’ve worked through hip pain and late night feeding exhaustion, too! I understand, and I’m here for you.
As a new mama myself, I’m the kind of physical therapist who actually gets what you’re going through.
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