Why Does My Pelvic Floor Feel Heavy After Giving Birth?
After giving birth, your body goes through significant changes as it begins to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. While some discomfort is expected, experiencing a heavy or dragging sensation in your pelvic floor can feel concerning.
Pelvic floor heaviness after childbirth can be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, changes to the supporting tissues or pelvic organ prolapse. Symptoms may become more noticeable after standing for long periods, lifting or exercising.
At PelviCare, we offer specialist postnatal physiotherapy in Greenwich, helping women understand their symptoms and regain confidence in their pelvic health.
What Causes Pelvic Floor Heaviness After Childbirth?
During pregnancy, your pelvic floor muscles support the increasing weight of your baby. Childbirth can also stretch and place additional pressure on these muscles and surrounding tissues.
Following delivery, this may contribute to:
- Weakness or reduced coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.
- A sensation of pressure or heaviness in the vagina.
- Discomfort when standing, walking or lifting.
- Changes in bladder or bowel control.
In some cases, pelvic heaviness may indicate pelvic organ prolapse, where one or more pelvic organs move downwards due to reduced support.
However, heaviness doesn't automatically mean you have a prolapse. A professional assessment can help identify the underlying cause.
When Should You Seek Help for Pelvic Pressure?
Although pelvic floor symptoms can occur during postnatal recovery, persistent or worsening discomfort shouldn't be ignored.
If you regularly experience vaginal heaviness, notice a bulge or struggle with bladder control, speak to a healthcare professional.
Early assessment can help establish what's happening and identify suitable treatment options.
Our pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on understanding your individual symptoms and supporting long-term pelvic health.
How Can Postnatal Physiotherapy Help?
Postnatal physiotherapy can help improve pelvic floor function, manage discomfort and support recovery following childbirth.
At PelviCare, we assess pelvic floor strength, muscle coordination and any associated problems before recommending a personalised rehabilitation programme.
Treatment may include targeted pelvic floor exercises, breathing techniques, lifestyle advice and guidance on returning safely to physical activity.
We also offer the Mummy MOT®, a specialist postnatal assessment that examines pelvic floor function, abdominal muscles and other physical changes following pregnancy.
Postnatal Physiotherapy in Greenwich With PelviCare
Experiencing pelvic heaviness after having a baby can be unsettling, but you don't have to manage your symptoms alone.
At PelviCare, we provide professional women's health physiotherapy from our clinic in Greenwich, London, supporting women throughout their postnatal recovery.
Whether you've recently given birth or are experiencing symptoms months later, we're here to help you understand your body and find an appropriate way forward.
Contact PelviCare to arrange an assessment and discover how our postnatal physiotherapy treatments could support your recovery.