4th Trimester Project

A Village for Mothers

Bottom / Pelvic

Pregnancy and birth can be very hard on women’s bottoms – specifically women’s pelvic floor - the uterus, urethra, vagina, anus and all the muscles that support those important organs.

Pressure on those areas during pregnancy along with wear and tear from birth can lead to a number of problems for new mothers.

Even though up to 40% of women experience urine incontinence (leaking pee), around 10% experience fecal incontinence (unexpected poop), and up to 60% of women have genital pain, this is a topic that many women and their health care providers don’t discuss.

It is time to break the silence! This topic may feel embarrassing, but it is a part of being human.

Treatment is available and effective.

Topics in Bottom / Pelvic

Urgent Maternal Warning Signs

Apr 23, 2024
Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]

Urgent Maternal Warning Signs

Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]

Taking Care of You

Sep 24, 2023
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics

Taking Care of You

Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics

Bowel (poop) Incontinence

Apr 20, 2023
About 1 in 10 women report fecal incontinence (having bowel movements (poop) when they don’t plan for it to happen) during and/or after pregnancy. The sphincter is the muscle in our bottoms that controls the opening of the anus. It is estimated that between 13-25% of women experiences the inability to control their bowels or […]

Bowel (poop) Incontinence

About 1 in 10 women report fecal incontinence (having bowel movements (poop) when they don’t plan for it to happen) during and/or after pregnancy. The sphincter is the muscle in our bottoms that controls the opening of the anus. It is estimated that between 13-25% of women experiences the inability to control their bowels or […]

Hemorrhoids and Constipation

Apr 20, 2023
A hemorrhoid is a painful swelling of a vein in the rectum. After having a baby – especially after vaginal childbirth – many women develop hemorrhoids. Symptoms include pain, itching, bleeding after having a bowel movement (pooping), or a swollen area around the anus. This common issue is uncomfortable and can be treated. Things to […]

Hemorrhoids and Constipation

A hemorrhoid is a painful swelling of a vein in the rectum. After having a baby – especially after vaginal childbirth – many women develop hemorrhoids. Symptoms include pain, itching, bleeding after having a bowel movement (pooping), or a swollen area around the anus. This common issue is uncomfortable and can be treated. Things to […]

Physical Pain with Sex

Apr 20, 2023
A lower sex drive after childbirth is common. More than 50% of women at 3 months postpartum and 30% at 6 months postpartum experience less interest in sex than they did before. Being tired, stress, lack of time, infant care needs, feelings around body image, plus physical discomforts often doesn’t result in feeling sexy! Pain […]

Physical Pain with Sex

A lower sex drive after childbirth is common. More than 50% of women at 3 months postpartum and 30% at 6 months postpartum experience less interest in sex than they did before. Being tired, stress, lack of time, infant care needs, feelings around body image, plus physical discomforts often doesn’t result in feeling sexy! Pain […]

Postpartum Physical Therapy

Apr 20, 2023
Many women may not know how helpful a physical therapist can be in helping them recover pelvic health after giving birth. Recently the American College of OB/GYN recognized the importance of physical therapists and encouraged doctors to refer women as needed. Postpartum physical therapists can work with women to deal with many conditions, including pelvic, […]

Postpartum Physical Therapy

Many women may not know how helpful a physical therapist can be in helping them recover pelvic health after giving birth. Recently the American College of OB/GYN recognized the importance of physical therapists and encouraged doctors to refer women as needed. Postpartum physical therapists can work with women to deal with many conditions, including pelvic, […]

Strengthening the Pelvic Floor

Apr 20, 2023
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that stretch across the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, uterus, and anal/rectum. Your pelvic floors manages your bladder and bowel control, as well as sexual function. During pregnancy and childbirth, your pelvic floor muscles can become weaker. Vaginal delivery can stretch […]

Strengthening the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that stretch across the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles support your bladder, uterus, and anal/rectum. Your pelvic floors manages your bladder and bowel control, as well as sexual function. During pregnancy and childbirth, your pelvic floor muscles can become weaker. Vaginal delivery can stretch […]

Urinary Incontinence

Apr 20, 2023
Urinary incontinence (UI) is when pee is leaked involuntarily. There are different kinds of UI but the one many women experience after giving birth is “stress urinary incontinence”. Pee may happen when you sneeze, laugh, or jump – or any time. For many women, UI resolves on its own over the first postpartum months. However, […]

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) is when pee is leaked involuntarily. There are different kinds of UI but the one many women experience after giving birth is “stress urinary incontinence”. Pee may happen when you sneeze, laugh, or jump – or any time. For many women, UI resolves on its own over the first postpartum months. However, […]

Immediate Recovery Pelvic / Bottom Supplies

Apr 20, 2023
Babies need a lot of things and it is helpful when friends and family help buy them. Women also need supplies to help them recover. We encourage family and friends to shower a new mother with the same love and support in helping her get ready for the 4th Trimester. Below are some supplies that […]

Immediate Recovery Pelvic / Bottom Supplies

Babies need a lot of things and it is helpful when friends and family help buy them. Women also need supplies to help them recover. We encourage family and friends to shower a new mother with the same love and support in helping her get ready for the 4th Trimester. Below are some supplies that […]

Hernias and Anal Tears 

Apr 20, 2023
Lots happens to our bodies, especially our bottoms, during childbirth. Many women are caught off guard by the common conditions that can happen in the days and weeks after having a baby. Here are a few common things that a new mom may experience.   Hernias   A hernia is when an internal part of the body […]

Hernias and Anal Tears 

Lots happens to our bodies, especially our bottoms, during childbirth. Many women are caught off guard by the common conditions that can happen in the days and weeks after having a baby. Here are a few common things that a new mom may experience.   Hernias   A hernia is when an internal part of the body […]

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