The pelvic floor during and after pregnancy
The pelvic floor muscles act like a sling supporting all the pelvic organs including the bladder, uterus and lower part of the bowel. They surround the anus and urethra and vagina, providing additional control to urinary and stool release. During pregnancy and childbirth, the joints and ligaments of the pelvis become lax with the presence of the hormone relaxin and the pelvic floor muscles become stretched as the baby increases in weight within the uterus and during the delivery of the baby. This can result in weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and there can also be scarring of these muscles due to tearing and the resultant episitomy given during childbirth.
May 7, 2024
