Hospitals in Lancashire and South Cumbria are providing help and support for anyone with pelvic floor problems or concerns during pregnancy and for 12 months afterwards.
Pregnancy changes your body. This can be uncomfortable and affect your daily life.
It’s important to spot any symptoms early, so you can get the right help. These may include:
- Leaking when you cough, jump or laugh
- Vaginal changes or pain
- Heaviness in the vagina
- Constant urge to go for a wee
- Pain having sex
- Not able to control wind/pooing yourself
If you don't have any symptoms, it is just as important to know how to stop these from happening in the future.
This questionnaire asks about common symptoms you may have after having your baby. It will help decide if you could manage these problems yourself, or if you need more help.
Click here to complete the Postnatal Pelvic Health Self-Assessment Questionnaire
What should I do next?
Prevention
Self-management
8-15 score (mild symptoms)
16-29 (more significant symptoms)
Self-referral
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Prevention (Score of 0-7) |
You have no pelvic health symptoms after having your baby, and we want it to stay that way! Use the information in the ‘Postnatal/During the year after pregnancy’ tab at the bottom of the PPHS webpage to stop you having problems in the future. Remember to do pelvic floor exercises regularly. We clean our teeth twice a day, so why don’t we look after our pelvic floor in the same way? |
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Self-management (Score of 8-15 - mild symptoms or 16-29 - more significant symptoms) |
You have some pelvic health symptoms that may be affecting your day-to-day life. This is common after having a baby, but not normal. The good news is that most people’s symptoms will get better by doing some simple exercises and following advice. You can usually start to notice a difference within 6 weeks, but sometimes it can take longer. You will find information in the ‘Postnatal/During the year after pregnancy’ tab at the bottom of the PPHS webpage. If your symptoms aren’t getting better, you can refer yourself to our Pelvic Health Physiotherapy team by calling 01282 803587 (Monday to Friday, 08.30-16.30). |
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Self-referral (Score of 30+ or a bothersome score of 8+) |
You have pelvic health symptoms that are having a significant impact on your day-to-day life, and you would benefit from getting some more help. You can refer yourself to Pelvic Health Physiotherapy by calling 01282 803587 (Monday to Friday, 08.30-16.30). In the meantime, start doing some simple exercises and following the advice found in the ‘Postnatal/During the year after pregnancy’ tab at the bottom of the PPHS webpage. Your symptoms may start to get better while you’re waiting for your appointment. |
Back, pelvic and hip pain after giving birth
The PPHS is unable to accept referrals for back, pelvic or hip pain after you have had your baby.
If pain is a problem for you, your symptoms may get better by following the advice in this leaflet.
If your symptoms are still affecting you after 6 weeks, you can refer yourself to the ELHT Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team by completing this self-referral form .
*Based on Fee, A., Uren, A., Abrams, P., Knowles, C., Hashim, H., Avery, K., Lough. K., Cotterill, N. The Perinatal Pelvic Health Self-Assessment Questionnaire (PPHSAQ): User guide for clinical staff. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, 2024. Published December 17, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://iciq.net/pphsaq
For more information on how to refer yourself, speak to your midwife or go to: