PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH ARE ALWAYS A DIFFERENT JOURNEY FOR EACH MOTHER.

Some have no issues and others run into ‘speed bumps’. These ‘speed bumps’ can be varied and worrisome at times, impacting on self-esteem, quality of life and your relationship with your partner.

In a recent article released March 8 2017, by the Australian Continence Foundation, it stated that “new mums have a 37% chance of experiencing incontinence post birth and that 47% of those are still affected at 6 months”. They went on to report that “as many as 1:4 report faecal urgency or incontinence in late pregnancy and post birth, with 1:5 still reporting issues at 12 months post birth”.

Another blog by a leading Women’s Health Physiotherapy practice in the UK reported, that 24% of new mothers report experiencing pain during intercourse up to 18 months post birth (Pelvic Guru UK Blog 2017).

As a Physiotherapist who has worked and completed an extensive postgraduate study in this area of care for 10 years, I would agree with the above figures. I think in a lot of Mothers Circles these issues are quietly discussed with people recommending different products or devices that they have seen through facebook or online. However, the above issues are often complex and require assessment and tailored treatment plans (that link in with your GP).

What is not often known is that Women’s Health Physiotherapists are trained to treat the above ‘speed bumps’ plus much more pregnancy and birth related issues. You don’t have to put up with these issues, and you definitely don’t need to go it alone! If you think you may be someone who has hit a post birth speed bump please feel free to give our clinic a ring and arrange a private and confidential appointment.

Hollie O’Brien
Physiotherapist/Director
BHSc(Physiotherapy) PGDip(HSM) M(HSM) cred. McKenzie Therapist, Special Interest in Women’s/Men’s Health and Incontinence, Special Interest in Chronic Pain, APAM NZPBM.