What do women need from postpartum pelvic health services?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the perceptions of women with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction and what does good care look like?
IRAS ID
345107
Contact name
Elizabeth Doxford-Hook
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Childbirth is a transformative time in a woman's life, marking the beginning of a new journey into motherhood. While the arrival of a baby is a moment of joy and celebration, it can also be accompanied by a myriad of physical changes and challenges. One of the most significant areas of concern for women following childbirth is changes to the pelvic floor, a complex system of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that provide the essential support to the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum (1). Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common issue faced by many women, often characterised by a range of symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life (2). The NHS has implemented Perinatal Pelvic Health Clinics across England, however, what women who have postpartum PFD need from the service has not been identified. This research will explore the perception, views and experiences of women with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), their lived experience and their healthcare seeking experiences. The study will also aim to map the current services available to women who have this condition. This research will contribute towards the creation of a set of recommendations for the care of women with postpartum PFD. These recommendations will help to provide women centred care.
To achieve this the study will use a phone application to collect lived experiences through a diary format over a week. Some of these participants will be selected to then have interviews to explore their experiences and perceptions of their condition and their health seeking behaviours and experiences.
The participants will need experience of healthcare services so they will be invited to participate from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trusts perineal clinic, a clinic that specialises in postpartum pelvic floor conditions.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
25/WA/0314
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion