Gynaecologists and obstetricians are calling for the Government to fund pelvic floor training for mums to be amid a rise in injuries and disorders during childbirth.
“We want women to have a conversation about pelvic floor exercises in pregnancy, and those women who are at high risk of problems or have symptoms to have funded physiotherapy,” the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) vice president Susan Fleming said.
Fleming said pelvic floor disorders mean one in three women will experience urinary incontinence, one in 10 will have faecal incontinence, and one in 12 will have pelvic organ prolapse.
The statistics reach epidemic proportions for older women, with 46% having at least one major type of pelvic floor disorder.
One woman who wished she had received more education on pelvic floor exercises is Kelsey Sciascia, who has a disorder from her first pregnancy 10 years ago.
“I wish I’d put more into my body back then but with age comes wisdom, you know?” she told 1News.
While weakness of the pelvic floor muscles can affect both men and women, pregnancy and childbirth are significant risk factors.
First-time dad Bernado Neil said their midwife hasn't brought up the potential concerns.
"Her body has grown massively and it's such a beautiful, beautiful thing but for me to try and be a husband, how to support her, knowing a little bit more would actually help me as well," he said.
While RANZCOG said education around pelvic floor training is inconsistent, the College of Midwives disagreed, saying the problem lies with accessing physiotherapy.
“We need to challenge the Government to actually put some money behind this and see this as an important issue,” the College of Midwives' Brigid Beehan said.
While ACC partially covers physiotherapy for birth injuries, 1News understands the remaining cost can still leave families more than $100 out of pocket. Covering the full amount had been considered by ACC but it found it would make the service unfair.
A class on the Kāpiti Coast is trying to raise awareness of the issue by bringing in a physio.
“Everyone just sort of really flows around the room, just asking their questions in a place that feels safe so that they can say they’re struggling with this or ‘is this normal?’” The Real Motherhood founder Jaydie May said.
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