A few weeks ago, I participated in the annual women’s health research update for physiotherapists. Every year that I participate, I am blown away. It’s a lot of time spent sitting at a computer, a lot of concentration and a lot of brand new information to digest and ready to implement at the clinic.

The passion and dedication of the physios working in the women’s health field is amazing and it is awesome to know that around the country hundreds of other physios are sitting at home, tuning in and also saying… wow. I always finish these updates exhausted but inspired and feeling eager to pass on all the new information I have just received. This year’s research update focused on childbearing and post-partum years. This is an area of women’s health that I love, and have been blessed to assist many women with over the past few years.

One research article from this year’s update caught my eye as it covered the topic of antenatal education, another one of my favourite things. Maybe surprisingly to some, antenatal education can be a controversial topic in women’s health. Historically, there is fear that talking about pelvic floor trauma antenatally can cause undue anxiety, distress or discomfort to a woman who is about to experience childbirth. This fear has led to avoidance and minimising discussion around the potential of injury in childbirth. If pelvic floor injury is to occur this can result in lack of planned and practised coping strategies, deepen distress, belief that significant pelvic floor injury is ‘normal’, as well as confusion - “why did no one tell me?”

Unfortunately, recent research has found that the rates of significant pelvic floor trauma are actually higher than what is reported and it is now termed a ‘hidden epidemic’. When you add that women can also feel blindsided by their injuries or symptoms, to the fact that this is an extremely vulnerable period of their life, it is not surprising that distress may be amplified. Women who reported high levels of difference between their expected and actual birth experience had the strongest associations between pelvic floor and mental health symptoms (you may remember Bec’s recent article on birth trauma).

Gladly though, it’s not all doom and gloom. This study showed that while not all pelvic floor injuries can be completely avoided, antenatal pelvic floor education is key, and significant in reducing risk and mitigating distress if it does occur. This is great news and counters the approach that information begets fear. If we can provide information focused on the pelvic floor during pregnancy and discuss potential for birth-related injury we can improve overall well-being of those affected across the fourth trimester.

Women’s health physiotherapists like Bec and myself can provide individualised education and advice to women regarding pregnancy, labour, delivery and reducing the risk of pelvic floor trauma. Having the information and knowledge to make an informed decision is a critical aspect of having a positive birth experience and receiving this information with the absence of alarm is crucial. Even postnatally there are many options to reduce symptoms, manage injury, prevent long-term issues and even just chat through the birth.

We would love to chat further if you need help with anything ante- or postnatal. Please give us a call at the clinic.

Jess Stinson