Pelvic Floor Assessment Before Pregnancy

A pelvic floor assessment before pregnancy helps you understand any current symptoms and how you use your body. It is especially useful if you have urinary incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain or pain during sex, or if you have been treated for these issues before. The consultation covers your bladder and bowel habits, pain history, daily activities and exercise background. The physiotherapist assesses how your breathing, abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles contract, relax and coordinate, according to your needs. Based on the findings, a personalized preparation plan is created covering exercise, relaxation, breathing and daily habits.

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Pelvic Floor Assessment Before Pregnancy: Get to Know Your Body and Prepare

Your Symptoms and Pre-Pregnancy Health History

In the first consultation, we talk about your bladder and bowel habits, pelvic pain, sexual function, previous surgeries and activities you find difficult in daily life. This information determines which areas the assessment should focus on. NICE also recommends that a pelvic floor assessment covers urinary, bowel, prolapse, sexual function and chronic pelvic pain history.

How Your Muscles Contract, Relax and Coordinate

It is not only the strength of the pelvic floor muscles that is assessed, but also their ability to relax when needed and to work in harmony with your breathing. The contribution of the abdominal wall and hip muscles during movement is also taken into account.

Your Personalized Physiotherapy Plan

Based on the assessment findings, pelvic floor exercises, relaxation and body awareness work, breathing coordination or manual therapy approaches are planned. For example, the program for someone who struggles to contract their muscles is not the same as for someone who has difficulty relaxing them. NICE recommends that pelvic floor muscle training with a physiotherapist be tailored to the person’s ability to contract and relax, their symptoms and their goals.

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Pelvic Floor Assessment Before Pregnancy FAQ

Who should get a pelvic floor assessment before pregnancy?

You can come for an assessment if you have urinary leakage, frequent urination, constipation, difficulty emptying your bowels, pelvic pain or pain during sex, if you have been diagnosed with infertility or if you are having trouble getting pregnant. If you have had pelvic floor treatment or surgery in the past, you can also discuss your current function and needs with a physiotherapist.

Do I need symptoms to have a pelvic floor assessment?

Even without symptoms, you can request a consultation to get to know your body and your pelvic floor muscles better. Based on your history and goals, the physiotherapist decides which areas of the assessment are meaningful for you.

Are Kegel exercises recommended for everyone?

No. Exercises are chosen according to muscle strength, the ability to contract and relax, your symptoms and your goals. If there is excessive muscle tension or pain, focusing only on squeezing exercises may not be appropriate.