Perinatal pelvic health service
Contact
- Maternity helpline
- 020 3312 6135
Visitor Information
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The perinatal pelvic health team treats and manages patients with pelvic floor or perineal problems related to pregnancy. We work with maternity patients while they are pregnant and up to one year after their pregnancy.
Our clinic is run by a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist and a specialist midwife, and is overseen by a consultant obstetrician. We offer a comprehensive review of each person's symptoms and work together to develop a treatment and management plan.
Patients who are booked to give birth a St Mary’s Hospital or Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital are welcome to refer themselves to our service using our online referral form.
Conditions we treat
People who are pregnant or have given birth with pelvic floor or perineal issues including:
- postnatal perineal wound breakdown / infection after 28 days from birth.
- any wound issues from birth until 28 days postpartum please attend MDAU/Maternity triage for urgent review. An onwards referral to PPHS will be made if appropriate by your health care provider.
- postnatal perineal wound with slow or poor healing
- any wound issues from birth until 28 days postpartum please attend MDAU/Maternity triage for urgent review. An onwards referral to PPHS will be made if appropriate by your health care provider.
- perineal scar pain
- 3rd and 4th degree tears
- postnatal urinary incontinence or frequency
- postnatal bowel incontinence (wind or stool)
- postnatal constipation
- pelvic organ prolapse
- postnatal sexual pain
- persistent perineal pain
- difficulties with intimate examinations.
We will do whatever we can to address the source of your pain or dysfunction and work with you to develop a plan to manage it going forward.
Clinics
We hold clinics in the maternity day assessment unit, Zone D, ground floor, at Hammersmith Hospital. Check your appointment letter for details.
Meet the team
Consultant
Patient information
What to expect
You can expect your first appointment to last about one hour. Follow-up appointments are typically about 30 minutes. We will talk through your symptoms and perform an examination. We may treat you in the session, offer some advice, or give you some exercises to complete at home. We will also offer advice about any further treatment you may need.
Preparing for your appointment
When you book your appointment, please let us know if you need an interpreter so we can provide one for you. If you would like a chaperone at your appointment, please let us know in advance. A chaperone is a health professional who will act as an impartial observer during your appointment. Chaperones are offered for any intimate examination.
Please bring clinic letters, reports, maternity notes or any other correspondence relating to your condition. Don't forget to bring a list of the medicines you're taking at the moment and reading glasses, if you need them. You are welcome to bring your baby with you.
Our hospitals are teaching hospitals, so students may be present for some appointments. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the team know and the students will be asked to step outside.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove, as you will have a physical assessment during your appointment.
At your appointment
Our clinics generally run on time and you should be seen within 10 minutes of your appointment time. Please call us if you are running late, as if you are more than 10 minutes late, we may not be able to see you.
When you arrive, please check in at reception and take a seat in the waiting area.
Your first appointment will probably last about an hour. We will discuss the history of your condition and conduct a physical assessment. Depending on your condition, the assessment may include a vaginal, anal or rectal examination. We will discuss this with you during your appointment.
We will discuss a treatment plan for your condition. You can expect to go home with a management plan in place - it may include some exercises for you to complete at home. If required, we may book a 30-minute follow-up appointment for you, or refer you on to another specialist.
Patient information leaflets