On the Blog: Is Your Birth Choice Putting Your Pelvic Floor at Risk?

Women's HealthPregnancy & Birth
Written By Chloe Rose Burger

We put so much thought into nursery colours and pram brands—but what about our pelvic floor? Different birth choices come with different levels of risk. The good news? You can be informed and empowered.

What to Watch For

  • Elective inductions before 39 weeks without medical indication

  • Continuous baby heart rate monitoring without medical indication

  • Epidurals without movement or positioning support

  • Lying on your back for pushing

  • Routine episiotomies (without medical indication or risk factors)

  • Instrumental births (with a forceps or vacuum) without medical indication

  • Directed pushing and fundal pressure during labour

  • Helping the placenta out manually before it has detatched, unless we are bleeding a lot and at risk of haemorrhage

What You Can Choose
 You can:

  • Learn about alternative positions that protect your perineum and pelvic floor

  • Practice perineal massage

  • Train your pelvic floor to improve coordination and endurance

  • Learn the most effective ways to push

    Want to know if your birth plan is pelvic floor friendly? Take the free masterclass to learn how to prepare for birth your way—without sacrificing your pelvic health. You'll thank me later. 

Chloe Rose Burger
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