Did you know that 20% of the first-time moms experience severe pelvic floor muscle injury and separation after a normal pregnancy and delivery? About 60% of women get diastasis recti postpartum which is the separation of the abdominal muscles that happens when they become pregnant. To know more, we spoke to Dr Jerry Chidester, a board-certified plastic surgeon who explained about postpartum pelvic health, complications and management.
What are common pelvic injuries that you see in your patients?
“Typically as a plastic surgeon the injuries I see in my patients all relate to a history of pregnancy. So injuries like urinary incontinence, prolapse, or chronic pelvic floor pain are very common,” shared Dr Chidester. Additionally, he also highlighted that while all pregnant women are at risk of pelvic floor injuries, repeat pregnancies potentially make a woman more susceptible over time to repeated trauma to the pelvic floor muscles and contents.
A lot of women instead of seeing a doctor right after experiencing the discomfort choose to wait. Dr Chidester shares that a lot of times women , unaware of their injuries, get pregnant multiple times and find out many years after childbearing.
What can women do to best prepare themselves before and after the surgery?
“There are many ways to prepare, but I typically recommend a comprehensive approach of preparing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Surgery can be life-changing for the better, but the best experience is when patients understand all the areas to prepare themselves in,” shares Dr Chidester.
Also Read: 5 Pelvic Floor Exercises To Relieve Urinary Incontinence
What are the signs of a weak pelvic floor after childbirth?
Women should check for issues like urinary stress incontinence or bladder/uterine/rectal prolapse after pregnancy. These are the prominent signs of postpartum pelvic floor issues that new mothers should watch out for.
Talking about the surgical treatment for pelvic floor injuries, the renowned plastic surgeon shares, “With my patients, after undergoing an elective abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, their core muscles are realigned, and many times this helps alleviate their pelvic floor pain, improve their urinary stress incontinence, and even improve irritable bowel symptoms.”
Also Read: 8 Signs Of Weak Pelvic Muscles In Women To Watch Out For
Watch this video for some postpartum weight loss inspiration:
A success story
One of my recent ‘Mommy Takeovers’ is a twin mom and had over a 4 inch muscle separation or diastasis recti of her abdomen. She could barely sit upright in bed on her own. She had horrible back pain constantly and aesthetically looked like she was still carrying babies. She also had a hernia that caused her pain, all from her pregnancy. After her ‘Mommy Takeover’ surgery and her abdominal muscle wall and hernia repair, she has a new lease on life! Her back pain is completely gone. She is able to stand all day without issues. Her core strength is slowly returning and she can do daily exercises without pain. She no longer urinates when she sneezes or jumps up and down. It’s truly amazing to see how an elective surgery like this could completely change her life. And lastly, she’s back wearing a two piece swimsuit that she hasn’t worn in years!
Final Word
Summing up, pelvic floor health may take a toll after childbirth. It is important for all women to not ignore potential signs and symptoms and seek medical assistance.
