Pelvic Health
Perinatal Pelvic Health Team
We support people from pregnancy to 12 months after birth with bladder, bowel and pelvic floor health.
- The Perinatal Pelvic Health Team supports anyone with bladder or bowel concerns.
- Pelvic floor problems can affect anyone during or after pregnancy, including:
- Incontinence (leaking of wee or poo)
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- The team provides support, advice, and treatment for those birthing in Bath, Salisbury, and Swindon.
This webpage will take you through the perinatal period for your pelvic health and give you useful tools for preventing or managing any problems that may arise. Further down you will find out how to seek additional support if needed.
What is Pelvic Health?
Your pelvic health is maintained by your bladder and bowel habits, a healthy diet, good fluid intake and regular exercise which involves the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic health concerns explained:
Leaking of urine (wee) with activities including coughing, sneezing, lifting and exercise.
Sudden need to pass urine (wee) and/or unable to get to the toilet in time.
Uncontrolled passing of wind (farting/gas).
Change in the position of your pelvic organs which may cause a heavy feeling in the pelvis and/or a bulge within the vagina.
Faeces (poo) leaks, especially with activity, you are unable to get to the toilet in time or find staining in your underwear.
Pain and discomfort during sexual activity.
Finding it hard to poo or going to the toilet less often than usual for you.
A tear, graze or cut to the genital area (perineum, vagina, labia, anus or surrounding areas) during childbirth. You might hear this described as Grade 1-4 by healthcare professionals.
Pain or discomfort within the joints that make up your pelvis (Hips, back, pubic area) that starts during pregnancy and may continue postnatally.
Separation of the stomach muscles during pregnancy and postnatally causing pain, discomfort or doming of the abdomen during physical activity.
Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy
Know your floors youtube
Good Bowel habits
Increase your fibre intake
Good bladder habits
Posture and positioning during pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy
Advice & Guidance for Exercise in the Childbearing Years
Reduce your risk of tearing leaflet
Perineal massage video
Pain management and wound care video
Postnatal bladder care
Return to exercise video
Your abdominal muscles
Postnatal recovery
Caring for your stitches
Constipation
Constipation
Haemorrhoids (also known as 'piles')
Vaginal discharge
Urinary Tract Infection
Back and Pelvic pain
Bladder annd bowel incontinence
Abdominal muscle separation
Pelvic girdle pain
Pelvic organ prolapse
Vaginismus
Pelvic health video series in other languages
How to get support
If you need further support for pelvic floor concerns, please complete our self-assessment form below, or speak to your midwife or GP to be referred in to our service.
Other support: How to get help with pelvic girdle pain
If you are struggling with Pelvic Girdle Pain, ask your GP or self-refer for Physiotherapy in your local area:
Bath (BA1 patients) - via your GP
BANES patients - Complete this form
Swindon patients - via your GP
Access support via Wiltshire Health and Care
Want to know more?
Watch our pre-recorded workshops on Pelvic Health:
Surveys and Feedback: Help us help you better
Please complete our pelvic health care survey on or after 10 days postnatal to help us understand your experience and improve our service.
If you have received treatment from us, please complete this survey to let us know how we did. We are always looking to improve our service.
