The Perinatal Pelvic Health Services (PPHS)
PPHS has been set up to support prevention of pelvic health issues during pregnancy, birth and in the postnatal period and ensure accessible information, advice, and treatment for those with perineal or pelvic floor concerns. Anyone can be affected by pelvic health problems during, or after pregnancy and 1 out of 3 women will experience a problem with their pelvic floor muscles at some point during their life. This service is for women who are booked to birth at MCHT and the year following who are experiencing pelvic health problems such as incontinence (bladder or bowel), pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti or dyspareunia. It is a collaborative team with midwives, physiotherapists, obstetricians, and urogynaecologists.
Meet the Team
Helen Hollins Amphlett Katy Edwards
Specialist Perineal & Pelvic Perinatal Pelvic Health Service
Health Midwife Midwife
What support can we provide?
- Inclusive, team approach to your care
- A place to share your experiences
- Signposting for prevention and treatment of any pelvic health concerns
- Support and education for both Health Care Professionals and Service Users
- Specialist midwifery support for wound care and management
- Specialist physio support for any issues including pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle advice
- Ongoing support for up to 12 months postnatal
- Perineal wound care
Who can access this support?
| Antenatal | Postnatal |
|
Bladder issues (incontinence, urgency) Bowel leaking Flatus incontinence Pelvic organ prolapse Previous complex perineal trauma Persistent perineal pain Pelvic girdle pain Diastasis recti |
Bladder issues Bowel leaking Dyspareunia Pelvic organ prolapse Pelvic floor dysfunction Perineal wound concerns
|
How to access support?
Ask your Community Midwife to complete a referral form. You can expect an inclusive, kind, and experienced team approach. It will be a safe place to talk and share experiences. The team will signpost to the most appropriate health professional for prevention and treatment of the pelvic health concerns which may include specialist of Physiotherapists. This service will also educate service users about common issues in pregnancy such as pelvic floor muscle exercises.
The PPHS service aim to identify and contact anyone meeting our service criteria soon after birth. If you feel you meet the criteria but have not been contacted, you can self-refer by e-mailing our Pelvic health e-mail: pelvichealthmidwives@mcht.nhs.uk
Ask the Physio: Pelvic floor exercises (YouTube, Charterd Society of Physiotherapy)
Care of a third or foutrh degree tear that occured during childbirth (also known as obstetric anal sphincter injury OASI) (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
Care of your perineum and pelvic floor (MCHFT)
CONfidence app: supporting people with bladder and bowel conditions (YouTube, Bristol Health Partners)
Exercise and advice after loss of your baby (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Exercise and advice for those whose pregnancy has ended with adoption, fostering or surrogacy (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Fecal incontinence (accidental bowel leakage) (IUGA, Your Pelvic Floor)
Fit for the future, essential exercises and advice after childbirth (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Your pelvic floor and how to do pelvic floor exercises (RCOG, MCHFT)
OASI Care Bundle Information for Expectant Mothers (RCOG)
Painful sex (dyspareunia) (IUGA, Your Pelvic Floor)
Pelvic floor exercises (Your Pelvic Floor)
Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy (YouTube, MyHealthLondon)
Pelvic floor exercises for women (YouTube, Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Pelvic floor muscle exercises and advice for people who were assigned female at birth) (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Pelvic floor muscle training (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Pelvic floor muscle training (YouTube, North Bristol NHS Trust)
Pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
Pelvic health advice leaflets (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
Pelvic organ prolapse (IUGA, Your Pelvic Floor)
Perineal tears and episiotomies in childbirth (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain and other common conditions in pregnancy (Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy)
The Power of your Pelvic Floor (Appeal)
Third and fourth degree perineal tears (IUGA, Your Pelvic Floor)
Squeezy App (Squeezy)
Stress urinary incontinence (IUGA, Your Pelvic Floor)
Supporting women with injuries from childbirth (MASIC)
Your pelvic floor (YouTube, NHS Highland)
