Have you had a baby recently but haven’t had your Pelvic Floor checked?
The Postnatal Pelvic Floor
Most women know they need to rehabilitate their Pelvic Floor after having a baby, but many have no idea where to even start.
The first place a lot of us turn to is Dr Google, which can be a confusing whirlwind of misinformation and misinterpretation.
So we have compiled a few facts as to why it is important to get your pelvic floor properly assessed before embarking on your Pelvic Floor recovery journey (because it’s a marathon, not a sprint!)
5 Reasons to Get Your Pelvic Floor (PF) Checked After Having a Baby
1. Prescribing exercise without properly assessing first, is like treating blindfolded – As with any condition or muscle requiring rehabilitation, starting an exercise program without knowing the situation, can result in incorrect technique or commencing exercises that are inappropriate or may make the situation worse.
2. 64% of women who are taught to correctly activate their pelvic floor, will still go home and get it wrong – Learning to activate your PF correctly is like learning any new skill – it’s hard!!! And, is made even harder when you are sleep deprived mother with weak and stretched PF muscles, and nerves that are still recovering and not yet sending or receiving signals properly. Therefore, the chances of getting it right on your own is unlikely. A Women’s Health Physiotherapist can properly access your PF function and teach you how to get it right.
3. 1 in 3 women who have ever had a baby wet themselves – Regardless of how you had your baby, 1/3 of all mothers have issues controlling their bladder. One of the most common reasons for this is Pelvic Floor dysfunction. Up to 70% of people with urinary leakage do not seek help, which is unfortunate as most cases can be managed with appropriate assessment and treatment by a Women’s Health Physio.
4. You want to return to Sport or Exercise – If returning to exercise is a goal of yours, then a Pelvic Floor assessment is a must. Good pelvic floor strength is essential before commencing high impact exercise such as running, or high load exercises like CrossFit & Pump classes. The Pelvic Floor plays a major role in supporting the pelvic floor organs (bladder, uterus, & bowel). Without good pelvic floor strength and tone, increased strain is placed on the supporting ligaments, which can stretch over time. This can lead to Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), Many women don’t realise that they have started to develop POP until it is quite advanced. Symptoms of POP include a sensation of bulging, heaviness or dragging in the vagina. Prevention is better than a cure, and knowing that your PF is prepared before you return to sport is the best method of prevention.
5. There is no magic 6 week mark – Many women assume that after their 6 week check up with their doctor, that everything is back to business as usual. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Research has shown that the Pudendal nerve (the main nerve supply to the PF) takes a minimum of 4 months to heal after a vaginal delivery. Even if you’ve had a caesarean section, you’ve carried a bowling ball on your pelvic floor for the past nine months. Everyone recovers at a different rate, so be patient, listen to your body, and don’t sit around hoping that everything will turn out okay. Speak to a Women’s Health Physio to find the help and reassurance you need to have a happy and healthy postnatal recovery.
What to expect from a pelvic floor assessment
- There are a lot of reasons why women seek a pelvic floor assessment. Due to the location of the muscles, it can be very difficult for people to know whether or not they are contracting these muscles correctly.
- If you suffer from incontinence, prolapse or have had a baby, an internal assessment is often necessary to properly assess the pelvic structures in order to provide appropriate treatment and management strategies.
- An internal exam allows us to properly examine the strength and function of the individual msucles of the pelvic floor. We also observe how the tissues are recovering after giving birth and assess for any pelvic organ prolapse.
- Prior to any examination, a thorough history is taken to gain a full understanding of your pelvic health and function and your goals for future treatment.
- Pelvic floor consultations are performed by a physiotherapist who has undergone advanced training in continence and women’s health and are done in a secure, private room. All measures are taken to ensure your confidence and comfort throughout, with all procedures explained before commencement to ensure your understanding and consent.