Real stories

In October 2023, our Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership in Hull talked to women and birthing people about their worries and concerns about their pelvic health. This feedback has been used to help us to develop our Perinatal Pelvic Health Services.

Impact on daily life

Pelvic Floor 4 col "When I exercise/ jump/ sneeze I have to be careful that I don't leak urine. I wear pads to help with this."

"On the second sneeze, it all goes south."

"After the birth of my daughter, I could constantly feel something between my legs that felt like it was falling out. Nobody seemed interested in helping. Eventually, I paid and went to a private hospital, where things were sorted out quickly."

Lack of information and support

“My first baby is now 6.5 months old and whilst pregnant, I struggled with pelvic girdle pain. I was disappointed with the lack of information and support offered in my midwife appointments and by the consultants after my scan appointments.

The only thing I was offered was ‘take paracetamol’ and ‘keep your knees together when you get out of the car.'

I did a lot of my own research and found things that helped, like seeing a pregnancy trained osteopath, which was recommended to me by another mum. There is some great information after a lot of searching online, so even being signposted to this would have been helpful.

I really think there is a lot more that can be advised and done throughout pregnancy and postnatally to help.”

Unclear pathways and delays

"I was in pain afterwards with my stitches. The GP was saying to go to midwife and vice versa. Eventually, I got seen to find out that stitches are completely undone and I've been waiting to see a gynaecologist for over 8 months now.”

"After going backwards and forwards to my GP, I was referred to someone, who told me there was nothing wrong ‘down below.’ But my problems persisted, so I asked for another referral. The second time I saw someone different and had a minor procedure to repair what hadn’t healed properly.”

Real stories

Impact on daily life

Lack of information and support

Unclear pathways and delays

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Week 12

Week 16

Week 20

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Week 28

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Week 40

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