This booklet has been written by the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy society. It provides information and advice plus exercises for your recovery, including advice for the early days after delivery. If you do not feel ready to read it then it may be useful to pass on to a person who is supporting you.
A useful and informative booklet all about your pelvic floor muscles and how to strengthen them. There is brief mention of pregnancy on page one and a paragraph about pregnancy and delivery type on page two.
A detailed leaflet about your pelvic floor muscles and how to strengthen them. Includes a particularly useful ‘starting block’ for your exercises. There is one sentence that references pregnancy and childbirth.
If you are experiencing any pain or tightness in your pelvis area then you may find some of these gentle stretches helpful.
A loss-sensitive adaptation of the 2019 Physical Activity Guidelines infographic on physical activity for women after childbirth.
Having some degree of urinary incontinence postpartum is common, with one third of women experiencing it within the first three months. It is not normal however, and should not be accepted as such! Be proactive if you are experiencing any bladder issues.
A good place to start with a description of the common issues plus some simple self help advice.
A detailed summary of the types, causes and treatments for urinary incontinence. There is mention of pregnancy and childbirth as a cause of urinary incontinence.
A website dedicated to bladder and bowel health and conditions. Very informative, lots of downloads and advice sheets available plus some helpful bladder diaries and tools for monitoring and communicating your symptoms to healthcare professionals. There are a few small sections related to pregnancy and childbirth but triggering content is minimal and these sections can be easily avoided.
Read and know the official recommendations for the treatment and management of urinary incontinence in women (also covers prolapse in the same recommendations).
Bowel issues can also be an issue postpartum – both constipation and some degree of faecal incontinence. Being informed about your bowel health is important for all stages of life.
A good place to start with an explanation of the common problems plus some simple self help advice.
A more detailed explanation of bowel function and management of bowel issues such as constipation and faecal incontinence.
A detailed leaflet about faecal incontinence including causes and treatment including self-help, medication, nerve stimulation and surgery. As injury during childbirth can be a cause or incontinence, there is a small section that covers this in detail.
There is a lot of overlap between common early postpartum symptoms and prolapse. Having the symptoms of prolapse in the early days doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a prolapse.
A very informative booklet by the POGP covering symptoms, causes and what you can do about it. The booklet includes a useful symptom score chart to monitor your symptoms. There is a paragraph about pregnancy and delivery in the Causes section.
Read and know the official recommendations for the management of prolapse (also covers urinary incontinence in the same recommendations).
