-By Bushra Hatahet, UK-Trained Clinical Midwife
Your pelvic floor is one of the most important groups of muscles in your body, yet it is often one of the least understood.
Throughout pregnancy, your pelvic floor supports the increasing weight of your growing baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During childbirth, these muscles stretch significantly to allow your baby to be born. Following birth, they begin an important process of healing and recovery.
Whether you have had a vaginal birth or a caesarean birth, your pelvic floor has worked incredibly hard throughout your pregnancy and deserves the same attention and rehabilitation as any other muscle that has undergone significant strain.
Looking after your pelvic floor is about far more than preventing urine leakage. These muscles support your bladder, bowel and uterus, contribute to your core strength and stability, play an important role in sexual function and help you return safely to everyday activities and exercise. A healthy pelvic floor can improve your confidence, comfort and quality of life for many years after having children.
Recovery does not happen overnight. Like any muscle, the pelvic floor becomes stronger through time, appropriate rehabilitation and regular exercise. The earlier you begin caring for these muscles, the better your long-term recovery is likely to be.
This chapter will help you understand how pregnancy and birth affect the pelvic floor, how to begin your recovery safely and when to seek additional support.
s a midwife, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I can give every new mother is to invest in her own recovery.
I strongly recommend that every woman has an assessment with a Women’s Health Physiotherapist before and after giving birth, regardless of whether she had a vaginal birth or a caesarean birth.
Pregnancy alone places significant demands on the pelvic floor, abdominal wall and core muscles. Childbirth—whether vaginal or by caesarean section—adds further physical changes that deserve assessment and rehabilitation. Even if you feel well and have no obvious symptoms, a postnatal physiotherapy assessment can identify subtle changes that may benefit from early treatment before they develop into longer-term problems.
A Women’s Health Physiotherapist has specialist training in assessing and treating the muscles, joints and connective tissues involved in pregnancy and postnatal recovery. They will carry out a thorough assessment and create a personalised rehabilitation programme based on your individual needs, birth experience and future goals.
Your assessment may include:
Many women believe that leaking urine, pelvic heaviness, pain during intercourse or reduced core strength are simply part of becoming a mother. Although these symptoms are common, they are not something you should simply accept. In many cases, early assessment and treatment can significantly improve symptoms and help prevent long-term pelvic floor problems.
Women who have experienced a third- or fourth-degree tear, an assisted vaginal birth, a prolonged second stage of labour, persistent bladder or bowel symptoms, pelvic pain or symptoms of prolapse should be referred promptly for specialist rehabilitation. However, even women who have had straightforward births can benefit enormously from expert assessment and guidance.
Whether your goal is to walk comfortably, return to running, resume weight training, practise Pilates, enjoy CrossFit or simply feel confident carrying your baby without symptoms, a Women’s Health Physiotherapist can help ensure your recovery progresses safely and effectively.
Your postnatal recovery is an investment in your future health. Caring for your pelvic floor now can reduce the risk of incontinence and prolapse, improve your core strength, support future pregnancies and help you return to the activities you enjoy with confidence.
If you are looking for calm expertise and genuine continuity of care, let’s talk.
