Pelvic Floor in the Postpartum Patient: Evaluation and Treatment

Course overview

There is a need for guidelines to help all rehabilitation practitioners screen for common pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions in the postpartum patient. Pelvic floor muscle anatomy and function will be presented along with an overview of pregnancy and birth effects on the pelvic floor, including perineal birth injuries. This course will help the participant be able to identify common postpartum pelvic floor muscle complaints for the bladder and bowel, pelvic support problems, and sexual complaints, and we will review general treatments for these conditions. General external pelvic floor muscle assessment for the non-pelvic-floor provider is described, which is helpful for identifying postpartum patients who may benefit from specific pelvic rehabilitation.