After giving birth vaginally, it’s common for women to experience problems with their pelvic floor. These problems are usually caused by the pressure and strain that childbirth puts on the muscles and tissues in the pelvic area. The severity of these issues can vary from woman to woman and may include:
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: When the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, rectum) sag down into the vaginal canal due to weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to symptoms like a feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvic area, urinary incontinence, and discomfort.
- Urinary Incontinence: Weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to stress urinary incontinence, where activities like sneezing, coughing, or laughing cause leakage of urine.
- Fecal Incontinence: Damage to the pelvic floor muscles or nerves during childbirth can lead to difficulties controlling bowel movements, resulting in accidental fecal leakage.
- Perineal Pain: Tearing or an episiotomy during vaginal delivery can lead to pain in the perineal area (between the vagina and anus), which can persist for some time after childbirth.
- Pelvic Pain: Some women may experience ongoing pelvic pain after childbirth, often related to nerve damage or changes in the pelvic floor musculature.
- Sexual Dysfunction: Vaginal birth can lead to changes in vaginal tone and sensation, affecting sexual function and causing discomfort during intercourse.
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness: Childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, which may lead to difficulty with muscle control and support, affecting posture and core strength.
It’s worth mentioning that not every woman who goes through vaginal birth will encounter these problems, and the seriousness can differ significantly. Factors such as the type of delivery, the presence of perineal tears, the size of the baby, and pre-existing pelvic health can influence the likelihood and extent of pelvic floor problems. Women who experience persistent or bothersome pelvic floor symptoms should consult with healthcare professionals, such as pelvic floor physical therapists or urogynecologists, for evaluation and personalised treatment options!
You don’t have to live with the problems after the vaginal delivery. You don’t have to suffer alone. You don’t have to suffer in silence.