The Perinatal Pelvic Health Service (PPHS) is specifically aimed at supporting women’s and birthing people’s pelvic health during pregnancy. People can be referred into the service during pregnancy and up to one year after delivery. Improving access to the right service at the right time during this stage in life will reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor problems later in life.
The Perinatal Pelvic Health Service offers specialist pelvic health physiotherapy and midwifery input, helping women and birthing people to understand their pelvic health and recognise symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction so they can manage it with the right help at the right time.
Pelvic Health physiotherapy focuses on the health and function of the organs within the pelvis, by maintaining the strength and function of the pelvic floor muscles. This includes the bladder, bowel, and womb. Making sure your pelvic floor is working well will help to maintain, and improve the control and function of your bladder and bowel.
Pelvic health physiotherapy also includes the management of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain, and the management of diastasis rectus abdominus. Recovery from vaginal tears, episiotomy and pelvic floor weakness are also included.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles inside the pelvis. They help to support your bladder, bowel and womb. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken these muscles. Women sometimes notice problems such as leaking wee or poo, needing to rush to the toilet, or a feeling of heaviness or bulging inside the vagina.
Starting pelvic floor exercises early in pregnancy will help to prevent these problems, and also help you to recover after having your baby.
We advise women they should continue to do these exercises for life – to make sure they maintain their pelvic health now, and in later life.
Pelvic floor exercise videos and information resources:
Video:
Resources:
Find resources and information on the Health Under 5’s website for preparing for birth. Click the link below:
Preparing for birth | Your Maternity Service | Health for Under 5s
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain is a condition which affects 1 in 5 pregnant people. It refers to pain anywhere from the low back, buttocks, back and front of pelvis, pubic area, hips and thighs.
Videos:
- Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy
- Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth
- Pregnancy fitness and exercise tips (help with pelvic girdle pain)
Useful resources:
Doing some mild to moderate exercise will help to keep you fit and strong throughout your pregnancy and help you to manage the physical demands of pregnancy and birth.
Video:
Useful resources:
Being pregnant, and delivering a baby can put a lot of stress on your body. It is important to make sure your body recovers well after giving birth, and you are able to get back to doing the things you enjoy, without problems. Please see the information below for advice about your recovery.
Video:
- Bladder and vaginal problems during and after pregnancy – YouTube
- After birth – your stomach muscles – YouTube
- Pain management and wound care
- After birth, week 1 – bladder care
- Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy
- Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth
- After birth – returning to exercise
Resources:
Many women and birthing people notice some bladder leakage, or have to rush to get to the toilet, during pregnancy and after having a baby. Although this is common, we don’t like to think of this as “normal”.
Video:
Resources:
If you are struggling to pass poo when you go to the toilet, you may have constipation. Constipation can be common during and after pregnancy.
Video:
Some women and birthing people notice they have less control of their bowels after having a baby. Symptoms such as urgency – having to rush to the toilet for a poo, accidental leakage of poo (faecel incontinence), and struggling to control wind from the bottom (anus).
Videos:
- Retraining your bowels when you are having to rush (“holding on” programme)
- Exercising your sphincter muscles to help improve bowel control
Resources:
Being pregnant, and delivering a baby can put a lot of stress on your body. It is important to make sure your body recovers well after giving birth, and you are able to get back to doing the things you enjoy, without problems.
Videos:
During a vaginal delivery, up to 90% of first time mums experience some sort of vaginal tear, graze or episiotomy.
Video:
Resources:
Support is available for those who are going through miscarriage and pregnancy loss:
Having a baby is a life changing event which some people find difficult. Problems with pelvic health can also have an impact on mental health.