In short
- The pelvic floor is the group of muscles around the bladder, vagina and anus.
- France’s HAS guideline says pelvic floor rehabilitation starts after the postnatal check, 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
- It is not for every woman: a doctor prescribes it based on symptoms.
- You can look for a female physio and message her before the first session.
Giving birth changes the body, and the pelvic floor is one of the first places you notice it. This page explains what the pelvic floor is and why birth affects it. It lists the signs that lead women to consult and when rehabilitation starts. It describes a session with a women’s health physiotherapist and the privacy you can expect. Last, it explains how to find a female physio.
The pelvic floor holds up the bladder, womb and bowel
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis. The NHS describes them as the muscles around the bladder, vagina and bottom. They help control pee and poo, and support the pelvic organs.
Pregnancy and birth put these muscles under heavy strain. A tear or an episiotomy also leaves a wound that needs to heal. The NHS lists pregnancy and childbirth among the causes of a weakened pelvic floor.
France’s national health authority, the HAS, makes the same point in its postpartum guideline. It names the pelvic floor and continence among the main effects of birth. It also mentions the back, the pelvis and the stomach muscles.
Some signs lead women to consult after birth
The NHS says leaking a little pee when you laugh or cough is quite common after a baby. If it does not settle, a doctor may refer you to a physio. The signs below come from the NHS and the HAS.
They can appear straight after the birth or later on. Raising them with your doctor or gynaecologist is normal, and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Leaking pee when you laugh, cough or move suddenly.
- A heavy feeling between the vagina and the back passage.
- A bulge or lump you can feel or see in the vagina.
- Poo leaking when you do not mean it to.
- Lasting pain in the perineum, pelvis or back.
- Discomfort or pain during sex.
- A gap between the stomach muscles still obvious 8 weeks after birth.
Rehabilitation starts after the postnatal check
The HAS publishes the 2002 French guideline on postpartum rehabilitation. It says pelvic floor rehabilitation starts after the postnatal consultation. That consultation takes place 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
In the first days, the guideline mainly asks for clear information for the mother. It also covers treating pain if there is any. The NHS puts its postnatal check at the same point, around 6 to 8 weeks.
The HAS states that this rehabilitation is not routine for everyone. A doctor prescribes it based on the symptoms you describe or the examination finds. It mentions 10 to 20 sessions at most, reviewed if there is no improvement.
To plan the cost, our guide to the price of a physio session in Morocco gives useful benchmarks.
A session starts with a conversation and an assessment
The first session starts with questions. The physio asks about leaks, pain, the birth, daily life and your sex life. The HAS then describes an examination, including a manual check of pelvic floor muscle strength.
This check is an intimate examination. The HAS asks that information comes before any pelvic floor rehabilitation. So the physio explains each step before doing it.
According to the HAS, the most used techniques are pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback. Biofeedback uses a device that shows your muscles contracting. The aim is a pain-free pelvic floor that holds firm during effort.
Your privacy is protected throughout the session
Moroccan Law 45-13 binds physios to professional secrecy. It also requires them to respect dignity and professional ethics. What you say in a session stays between you and the physio.
For an intimate examination, the NHS notes you can ask for a chaperone or a woman doctor. You can ask the physio the same questions before the first session. You can also ask for a pause or decline any step at any time.
You can look for a female physio, in Casablanca or elsewhere. On Kinero, each physio’s page shows their name, photo, languages and specialties. The team checks each diploma before a page goes live, and messaging a physio is free. The directory opens city by city. Find a physio
Some signs need a doctor before a physio
The NHS lists signs to report straight away to a midwife or doctor after birth. They come before any rehabilitation.
The NHS also advises seeing a doctor if you notice a lump in or around the vagina. That diagnosis belongs to the doctor.
- Pain, swelling or redness in the calf of one leg.
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing.
- Sudden or very heavy bleeding, with feeling faint.
- A high temperature with a sore, tender tummy.
- A headache with changes in vision or vomiting.
Common questions
When should pelvic floor physio start after birth?
According to the HAS, pelvic floor rehabilitation starts after the postnatal consultation. That consultation takes place 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
Does every woman need pelvic floor physio after birth?
No. The HAS says it is not routine. A doctor prescribes it when symptoms are described or found at the postnatal consultation.
How many pelvic floor physio sessions are needed?
The HAS mentions 10 to 20 sessions at most. Without improvement, the need is reviewed. If progress is real but not enough, 10 to 15 more sessions can be considered.
Can I choose a female physio in Morocco?
Yes. You can look for a female physio and ask her your questions before the first session. On Kinero, messaging a physio is free.
A physio near you
Physios whose diploma Kinero has checked, city by city. Writing is free.
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Sources
This guide informs. It does not replace the advice of your doctor or of your physio.