Pelvic health during pregnancy

Anyone who is pregnant can be affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. This is when the pelvic floor muscles are not working correctly. It is important to be aware of how pelvic floor problems occur and what you can do to reduce your risk of developing them.

​

During pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles come under pressure from the extra weight of your growing baby, amniotic fluid, placenta and the enlargement of the womb. This extra downward pressure and effect from pregnancy hormones (chemicals in the blood stream) causes stretching and tiring of the pelvic floor muscles. The stretching means your muscles do not do their jobs as well.