Your Pelvic Health, Après Baby!
Written by Lindsey Tasker Cole | June 17, 2020
In preparing to welcome a new baby into the world, there is an overwhelming number of things to consider. The list of stuff baby ‘needs’ is endless and is always being added too. With all the fun baby stuff to think about, sometimes our own needs fall to the wayside.
Understanding how your pelvis works before having baby can help women feel in control and more empowered going into labor and delivery. The pelvic girdle has a ‘floor’ and its function is crucial for bowel/bladder control, sexual function, as well as support and stability. After childbirth these muscles (the floor) can be injured, weak or too tight. This in turn can cause problems throughout the rest of body and can even present as pain in the legs or feet (what?!). Most often the pelvic floor is not the topic of discussion unless there is something wrong, or a problem arises. Getting ahead of this is so helpful for when baby is here, and having the tools you need when you need them.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess and treat the structures of your pelvic girdle and pelvic floor and make sure full function is restored. Reviewing your birth experience is vital in understanding why things are, as they are after delivery. Usually between 5-6 weeks postpartum is when seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist is appropriate. This can make the early post-partum adjustment a little bit easier to navigate, when you know how to manage your symptoms and recovery.
Maybe you think about your pelvic floor and childbirth at some point, but it’s not the main focus prior to baby. Whether you’re planning on seeing a pelvic floor physio before or after childbirth, it’s never too late to seek help for any concerns you have.
