The pelvic floor is one of the most affected areas after vaginal delivery, therefore it is very important and should be part of the medical follow-up of the recent mother, rehabilitate the pelvic floor after delivery.
The pelvic floor is composed of a group of hammock-shaped muscles responsible for supporting the bladder, uterus and rectum, and that help control urination and defecation.
It is a fairly forgotten area for many women who sometimes do not even know where to locate it, but it is essential to exercise it during pregnancy to better cope with childbirth. Like any muscle, being strengthened will suffer fewer injuries. Techniques such as Kegel exercises or Chinese balls help prepare the area for a better birth and a better postpartum recovery.
Since vaginal birth can cause lesions in the pelvic floor that cause urinary, fecal incontinence or genital prolapse (lowering of the pelvic organs caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor support), pregnant women should be advised to perform exercises before delivery and a pelvic floor rehabilitation after delivery.
In the Vall d'Hebrón Hospital they have established this new service seven months ago, to which women are referred with risk factors such as those whose deliveries have required the use of forceps or spatulas, who have noticed urine losses during pregnancy, have had a baby from four kilos and suffered tears in childbirth.
Normally after childbirth there is no monitoring of the condition of the pelvic floor. That is why they have decided to launch this consultation, which is common in other countries such as France and Germany, since it gives better results if it is treated shortly after delivery. Otherwise, when the woman decides to go to the doctor, the problem can be more complicated to solve.
Those who do not have symptoms are recommended an exercise table to do at home, those who come with discomfort or incontinence problems are recommended rehabilitation and in the most severe cases may require surgery.
Since pelvic floor disorders affect one in three women and have an impact on their sexual and social life, I think it would be necessary to develop strategies in hospitals to improve the quality of life of many women.
