Maternity services in Dorset support an estimated one in three who suffer pelvic health problems during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth.
The perinatal pelvic health project in Dorset have been working hard with clinical staff and women to develop this support.
As part of the developing support, an online self-referral form has been made available allowing quicker access to local specialist pelvic health physiotherapy teams based throughout the county who can offer support for a range of pregnancy-related and after delivery conditions.
It is hoped that introducing self-referral will speed up care for thousands each year.
The form is held on Maternity Matters Dorset (maternitymattersdorset.nhs.uk), a website launched in 2021 that is dedicated to guide women to local maternity options from ‘bump to beyond’.
Pelvic Health symptoms during pregnancy and after delivery include back and pelvic pain, pelvic floor problems affecting bladder, bowel and vaginal symptoms, hand numbness and pins and needles, and post-natal separation of the tummy muscles.
Most women find these symptoms improve with only a little help and advice, sometimes just from using resources on Maternity Matters or within Badgernet. However, approximately one in five suffering with pelvic health conditions will experience symptoms that are severe, and the self-referral form will help women to easily access help and support.
Sally Sheppard, Service Lead Pelvic Health Physiotherapy at UHD is the Project Lead within the Dorset Perinatal Pelvic Health team. She said, “Thousands are affected by pelvic health issues after birth, and I am excited that here in Dorset we are now able to offer quicker access to help and advice for those who may have otherwise suffered in silence.”
“We want women to be able to access self help and advice from Maternity Matters as well, and more resources are being added all the time so please keep coming back to the site to look for updates.”
For more information visit maternitymattersdorset.nhs.uk.
Anyone who is unable to access the digital form can still be referred via their midwife, GP or health visitor.
