Condition
Leaking, heaviness or pelvic floor concerns after having a baby?
Pregnancy and birth place significant demands on the pelvic floor.
While some changes are a normal part of recovery, many women are left wondering whether what they are experiencing is normal, whether it will improve, or if they simply need to learn to live with it.
You may be experiencing:
- Leaking when you cough, sneeze or exercise
- Urgency or difficulty reaching the toilet in time
- A feeling of heaviness, dragging or pressure
- Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
- Difficulty returning to exercise
- Pain or discomfort during intimacy
- A feeling that your body doesn’t quite feel the same after birth
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Is this normal?
Many women are told that leaking or pelvic floor problems are simply part of having children.
While these symptoms are common, they are not something you necessarily have to put up with.
The pelvic floor, like any other part of the body, can benefit from assessment, rehabilitation and support.
For some women, symptoms improve naturally as recovery progresses. For others, additional guidance and treatment can make a significant difference.
Understanding the bigger picture
The pelvic floor does not work in isolation.
It works closely with the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, posture, breathing patterns and the nervous system. Pregnancy, birth, previous injuries, surgery and scars can all influence how the pelvic floor functions.
This is one reason why simply doing pelvic floor exercises is not always enough.
Understanding how these different factors may be contributing to your symptoms is an important part of the assessment process.
How I assess pelvic floor symptoms
As part of a Mummy MOT®, I assess not only your pelvic floor function, but also the wider factors that may be influencing your recovery.
This may include assessment of:
- Pelvic floor function
- Abdominal and core function
- Diastasis Recti
- Breathing patterns
- Movement and posture
- C-section scars where relevant
My additional training in Visceral Manipulation also allows me to assess how pregnancy and birth may have affected the position and mobility of the abdominal and pelvic organs. Restrictions within these tissues can sometimes contribute to ongoing symptoms and may form part of the overall picture.
How I can help
Treatment is tailored to your individual needs and may include:
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
- Core rehabilitation
- Exercise guidance
- Breathing and movement strategies
- Hands-on treatment
- Education and reassurance
- Advice regarding pessaries where appropriate
Some women need reassurance and a clear plan. Others benefit from ongoing treatment and support as their recovery progresses.
You don't have to put up with it
Many women quietly accept pelvic floor symptoms because they believe they are an inevitable part of motherhood.
In reality, there is often much more that can be done than many women realise.
A Mummy MOT® can help you better understand what is happening in your body, identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and give you confidence in the next steps for your recovery.
