I always have a feeling of downward pressure - is this uterine prolapse (falling of the womb)?

By Sabrina Nieland, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist

"A feeling of pressure is one of the typical symptoms of a prolapse BUT: just because you feel this pressure after giving birth, e.g., after a long walk, does not automatically mean that you have a prolapse. Many mums must deal with this in the first few weeks after giving birth. This is usually because the pelvic floor has not yet regained its strength and the lower abdominal organs become too heavy, especially if you are still carrying extra weight such as shopping bags and/or your baby. It is always a good idea to have these symptoms checked - your gynaecologist or a specialised pelvic floor therapist who can examine your pelvic floor by palpation. In any case, you should see this pressure as a sign of overload: Your system needs a break! At home, you can adopt so-called relief positions. You can learn these positions from your midwife or in a postnatal class. When everything has been structurally checked and is in order, your system will stabilise over time and the feeling of pressure will go away."

Learn more:

• What is the pelvic floor anyway?
• But how do I know if my pelvic floor is working properly?
• If something was wrong with my pelvic floor, I would notice it, wouldn't I?
• I had a caesarean section, so I don't need to attend postnatal physiotherapy, do I?