Pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that forms a hammock-like base inside your pelvis, holding up your bladder, bowel, and uterus. During pregnancy, the growing baby puts constant downward pressure on these muscles, and vaginal birth can stretch or weaken them further. A weakened pelvic floor can cause leaking urine when you cough or sneeze, a feeling of heaviness in the vagina, or difficulty controlling wind. Seeing a women's health physiotherapist after birth, even if you have no symptoms, is strongly recommended to assess your pelvic floor and guide recovery exercises.
What This Means for You
Understanding Pelvic floor is an important part of your pregnancy/postpartum journey. Keeping this in mind as you read, attend appointments, and connect with other parents will help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.
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Many Singapore hospitals, including KKH and NUH, offer postnatal physiotherapy referrals. Do not assume leaking urine is simply a normal part of motherhood, as treatment is very effective.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/glossary-of-pregnancy-and-labour
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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