Children’s Continence By Hannah Richardson Children’s continence issues can be extremely common, especially in young children, and can be very distressing for not only the child, but the family too. To avoid impacting a child’s quality of life, particularly their self-esteem, behaviour, or performance at school, it is important to seek help sooner rather than later. At The Pelvic Studio, we understand that these issues may be uncomfortable to talk about, therefore our approach to our appointments aims to ensure a positive and fun experience for the child. When should you se ..read more

    Prolapse and your period Having a pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can be stressful, and the fluctuations of a menstrual cycle can add another layer of difficulty to managing both. In this blog, we explain how periods and prolapse interact, and some tips on how to manage the changes. We also have a blog on prolapse for more information and tips. Let’s jump right in!    Will having a prolapse affect my cycle? A prolapse should not change the length of your cycle or the heaviness of your bleeding. If you notice these changes, or any bleeding post-menopause, see your GP ..read more

    Reasons to see a pelvic floor physio during pregnancy At The Pelvic Studio we are experts is assessing and treating your unique pregnant body. We strongly believe in Pelvic Physiotherapy being a ‘standard’ part of antenatal care. In other words, we believe all women who are pregnant should have a pelvic assessment at some point in their pregnancy irrespective of whether you experience any issues or dysfunction. This assessment is to prevent the common issues that occur during and after pregnancy and also treat these common issue should they arise.   Here are 5 reasons ..read more

    Returning to Cycling After a Robotic-Assisted Robotic Prostatectomy There is robust evidence that staying physically active after treatment for prostate cancer reduces your risk of recurrence and increases survivorship. Many men have the goal of getting back into cycling after having their prostate removed, which is something our physios can offer support and guidance around. Physical activity such as cycling is a great way to reduce fatigue, improve bone health, sleep, cognitive abilities, and quality of life after cancer treatment. This blog is your evidence based guide t ..read more

    Varicose Veins of the Vulva During Pregnancy Let’s talk about a common but rarely discussed complaint in pregnancy - varicose veins of the vulva. What a mouthful! Varicose veins of the vulva, or vulvar varicosities, occur when veins in the labia majora and labia minora become dilated. This condition is estimated to affect around 20% of pregnant women, which is 5x the rate of women who are not pregnant. Vulvar varicosities are more common during pregnancy because: high levels of oestrogen associated with pregnancy cause veins to dilate more easily blood flow to the pelvi ..read more

    Antenatal expression of colostrum During pregnancy, the breasts produce their first milk, known as colostrum. Colostrum is high in antibodies and protective substances that help to support a newborn's immunity. Although not much colostrum is produced, it is very high in energy, protein and fat, and is easy for newborns to digest. So… what is colostrum? Colostrum is a type of early breast milk, produced by the breasts from around 20 weeks of pregnancy until the first few days after birth. Colostrum is a thick, sticky, yellowish liquid.   What are the benefits of collect ..read more

    Sexual Intercourse in the pre/postnatal period By Emma Godden Let's talk about sex. In particular, sex during pregnancy and after having a baby. You're certainly not alone if your sex life changes during pregnancy, or if you're feeling nervous about getting back into sexual intercourse after having a baby. After all, you experience a lot of changes during pregnancy, during birth and after giving birth. Hormonal changes, physical changes and emotional/social factors all play a part in how you feel about intercourse during pregnancy and after having a baby.   First, let ..read more

    Combatting Postnatal Fatigue The 4th Trimester   The first 12 weeks post birth, also known as the 4th trimester, is an important transition time both emotionally and physically following the physical changes initiated by pregnancy.  A mother’s body undergoes many physical changes during pregnancy and birth, so it is vital that women are supported during their 4th trimester recovery. This is also a time of significant adjustment for new mums, with fatigue, compounded by sleep disturbance, being common in almost two thirds of women up to 12 months postnatal (Ro ..read more

    Evidence Based Tips For Pregnancy By Hannah Richardson At The Pelvic Studio we are all about evidence-based practice, and the evidence tells us that pelvic floor physiotherapy can significantly reduce the impact of pregnancy on the pelvic floor. Here are Hannah’s top evidence-based tips for preventing birth trauma, pelvic floor dysfunction and prepare your body for the postnatal period. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training can improve incontinence In pregnancy, the pelvic floor can loose strength due to the stretch and strain placed on these tissues as your baby grows, for some w ..read more

  non-pharmacological management of Over-active bladder   Transcutaneous = using surface electrodes on the skin   Tibial Nerve = a nerve that runs down the lower leg  Stimulation = low dose electrical current via a TENS machine  What is OAB? Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent and bothersome condition, where a sudden urge to use the toilet can't be put off, leading to frequent trips to the bathroom and sometimes bladder leakage. So why should I consider TTNS? Evidence-based guidelines recommend lifestyle changes (such as managing fluid intake) and pelvic f ..read more