Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.
Perinatal Pelvic Health Service (PPHS)
What is Pelvic Health?
Your pelvic health is maintained by your bladder and bowel habits, a healthy diet, good fluid intake and regular exercise which involves the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic health concerns explained:
- Stress incontinence - leaking of urine (wee) with activities including coughing, sneezing, lifting and exercise.
- Urinary urgency - sudden need to pass urine (wee) and/or unable to get to the toilet in time.
- Flatus incontinence - uncontrolled passing of wind (farting/gas).
- Prolapse - change in the position of your pelvic organs which may cause a heavy feeling in the pelvis and/or a bulge within the vagina.
- Faecal incontinence - faeces (poo) leaks, especially with activity, you are unable to get to the toilet in time or find staining in your underwear.
- Dyspareunia - pain and discomfort during sexual activity.
- Constipation - finding it hard to poo or going to the toilet less often than usual for you.
- Perineal injury - a tear, graze or cut to the genital area (perineum, vagina, labia, anus or surrounding areas) during childbirth. You might hear this described as Grade 1-4 by healthcare professionals.
- Pelvic Girdle Pain - pain or discomfort within the joints that make up your pelvis (Hips, back, pubic area) that starts during pregnancy and may continue postnatally.
- Abdominal diastasis - separation of the stomach muscles during pregnancy and postnatally causing pain, discomfort or doming of the abdomen during physical activity.
