Pelvic health during and after pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes to help you grow, carry and birth your baby. It can sometimes be difficult to know what normal changes are, and when you should seek help.
Our perinatal pelvic health service can support you if you have problems with your pelvic floor during pregnancy or up to 1 year after giving birth. Pelvic health issues includes problems with:
- urinary incontinence
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- third- or fourth-degree tears from childbirth
- bowel incontinence
- constipation
- episiotomy and perineal tears
- pelvic organ prolapse
- pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
- back and pelvic pain and problems with your abdominal muscles
Common issues
Please do not feel embarrassed to talk to us about your pelvic health problems. Research estimates that about:
- 1 in 3 women experience urinary leakage 3 months after pregnancy
- 1 in 5 women have accidental bowel leakage 1 year after pregnancy
- 1 in 12 women report symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (when 1 or more organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina)
We can offer treatment, advice and support for all of these conditions.
About the team
Our team includes pelvic health physiotherapists and pelvic health midwives. We work closely with other health services including:
- Maternity Services | Lewisham and Greenwich
- Bladder, bowel, pelvic services in Lewisham | Lewisham and Greenwich
- Gynaecology Services | Lewisham and Greenwich
- Urology | Lewisham and Greenwich
Education and workshops
Our perinatal pelvic health service also offers classes and workshops. We run a pelvic health workshop during pregnancy.
Find out more and book your place at: http://tinyurl.com/y3kk4e7e
Health information
This series of videos developed by NHS physiotherapists and healthcare professionals give information and advice about the changes of the body before, during and after birth. From pelvic floor health and bladder care, to posture and returning to exercise.
This information leaflet provides useful information regarding perineal health in pregnancy, birth and beyond and gives helpful tips on preparing for a vaginal birth.
Pelvic floor exercises
How to do pelvic floor exercises on the NHS website
Squeezy Connect app used by all hospitals under South East London Maternity Neonatal System to help you do your pelvic floor exercises correctly and consistently.
Squeeze lift hold website for hints and tips to improve your pelvic floor
Emotional support
MASIC for women who have suffered severe injuries during childbirth known as OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries)
Birth Trauma Association for parents traumatised by birth
Healing Experience of Loss and Trauma Service at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
General information and support
Pelvic health advice from POGP - Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy, a UK-based Professional Network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
A guide for trans men, trans masculine and non-binary people (who were assigned female at birth) from POGP
A guide for trans women, trans feminine and non-binary people (who were assigned male at birth) from POGP
Share your experiences
Let us know how we're doing! If you had a baby at Guy’s and St Thomas', King's College Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich), or University Hospital Lewisham since June 2022, please complete our survey to tell us how we are doing in supporting your pelvic health:
We'd also like to hear from you if you received care from the perinatal pelvic health service (physio or midwife) through virtual clinics, group therapy or individual appointments since June 2022:
The surveys are anonymous and your participation is voluntary.