Women who have experienced a traumatic birth will receive better information, care and support. NHS England are rolling out a new national pelvic health service across England.
- Distressing issues like pelvic organ prolapse, perineal tears, pelvic pain and incontinence due to childbirth are too common so government and NHS taking action
- Boosting women’s health and wellbeing remains a top priority and government continues working and investing in world-class healthcare
Women who have gone through the often devastating pain and distress of a traumatic birth will receive better aftercare and support, and pregnant women will be better equipped with the information they need as part of their routine antenatal care, as plans are unveiled for the implementation of a nationwide pelvic health service.
Roughly 1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence 3 months after pregnancy, and around 1 in 7 experience anal incontinence 6 months after birth. One in 12 women report symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse – which is when one or more of the organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. These distressing issues can affect women’s ability to work, their sexual and social relationships, and their mental health.
But action is being taken on a national level. Backed by over £11 million of government funding from April 2024, plans published by NHS England for the implementation of a new national service will:
- ensure all women are offered a self-assessment of their pelvic health as early as possible in pregnancy – and by 18 weeks at the latest
- educate all women on the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction and birth injuries and preventative action they can take to reduce this risk
- provide additional support to those at higher risk of pelvic health problems
- reduce NHS waiting times – one of the Prime Minister’s 5 pledges – and minimise administrative barriers to treatment
- allow affected women to access appropriate physiotherapy assessment and personalised treatment