The Importance of Prenatal Pelvic Floor Information: Beyond Prevention of Occurrence
Despite the fact that childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions are both common and have a powerful impact on postpartum well-being, this topic is still not routinely discussed during prenatal appointments and childbirth education courses. Join us as Kimberley Johnson, an advanced doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah, discusses her research on value of prenatal pelvic floor information in buffering symptom-related distress and promoting positive adjustment.
Childbirth-related pelvic floor trauma (PFT) and associated conditions have been described as a hidden epidemic, and carry both short and long-term mental health and quality of life impacts. Importantly, birthing people navigate these challenges during a known critical window that shapes health across the lifespan. Despite the prevalence and impact, pelvic floor considerations and the potential for injury are still not routinely discussed during prenatal visits or childbirth education courses. Research has found that this lack of information comes at a high cost. Many who experience birth-related pelvic floor trauma describe feeling blindsided by an injury or condition they did not even know was possible, and a sense of betrayal by their bodies and prenatal care providers. There is increasing evidence that the value of proactively providing accurate and complete information is not just in reducing risk of occurrence, but in mitigating associated psychosocial distress among those who are impacted.
Topic Overview
This webinar will cover the following topics and objectives:
- Provide an overview of birth-related pelvic floor trauma and associated conditions
- Highlight associations between pelvic floor and mental health symptoms
- Present research on the protective role of prenatal pelvic floor information on postpartum adjustment
- Discuss common communication-related challenges and barriers
Supplemental Resources
The importance of information: Prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy, 36, 62-72. https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229
Disclaimer: The JWHPT promotes scholarly discussion and clinical dissemination of best available evidence; Journal Club presenter’s are responsible for the accuracy of the content. Ideas and opinions expressed may not be those of the Academy of Pelvic Health and JWHPT.
Presenter | Kimberley Johnson, M.S.
Kimberley Johnson, M.S., is an advanced doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Utah with an emphasis in perinatal and pelvic health. Her current research is centered on factors that facilitate adjustment and wellbeing during the postpartum transition period, particularly in the context of birth-related injuries. She has published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy and Journal of Health Psychology, has contributed to postpartum rehabilitation and wellness courses, and has been involved in starting a birth-injury specialty clinic providing therapy to those impacted. Outside of her academic and clinical work, she is a mother of two (to a 3-year-old girl and expecting a baby boy this summer) and loves xc skiing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and just being outside in nature with her family.
Watch Recording
