Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.
Perinatal Pelvic Health Service (PPHS)
What is Pelvic Health?
Your pelvic health is maintained by your bladder and bowel habits, a healthy diet, good fluid intake and regular exercise which involves the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic health concerns explained:
- Stress incontinence - leaking of urine (wee) with activities including coughing, sneezing, lifting and exercise.
- Urinary urgency - sudden need to pass urine (wee) and/or unable to get to the toilet in time.
- Flatus incontinence - uncontrolled passing of wind (farting/gas).
- Prolapse - change in the position of your pelvic organs which may cause a heavy feeling in the pelvis and/or a bulge within the vagina.
- Faecal incontinence - faeces (poo) leaks, especially with activity, you are unable to get to the toilet in time or find staining in your underwear.
- Dyspareunia - pain and discomfort during sexual activity.
- Constipation - finding it hard to poo or going to the toilet less often than usual for you.
- Perineal injury - a tear, graze or cut to the genital area (perineum, vagina, labia, anus or surrounding areas) during childbirth. You might hear this described as Grade 1-4 by healthcare professionals.
- Pelvic Girdle Pain - pain or discomfort within the joints that make up your pelvis (Hips, back, pubic area) that starts during pregnancy and may continue postnatally. More information is available on the linked LMNS page or from The Pelvic Partnership.
- Abdominal diastasis - separation of the stomach muscles during pregnancy and postnatally causing pain, discomfort or doming of the abdomen during physical activity. More information is available on the linked LMNS page
