Childbirth results in injuries to muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves throughout your pelvis. These injuries heal over time.
Many women present with gynaecological symptoms some years after childbirth. They often have extensive investigations including pelvic imaging and diagnostic laparoscopy. New, powerful imaging techniques including 3D ultrasound and MRI demonstrate the legacies of injuries in childbirth.
As long ago as the 1930's HL Gainey, Kansas described deficits in anatomical support of the vagina in women with prolapse that he called "vaginal defects". More recently we have found levator "defects", uterosacral ligament "defects" and neurological "defects" in women with menstrual problems, pelvic pain, prolapse, incontinence - in fact, in almost every form of clinical gynaecological presentation.
The study of these injuries, will lead to improvements in womens' gynaecological care in the next few years. Notably where there have been injuries to pelvic nerves as their re-growth may cause much pain and suffering.
Having gone through childbirth myself, I know all about the damage which can occur if not treated properly. It is nice to know that doctors are studying the after effects of childbirth so that the next generation may not face some of the same problems I have had personally with injuries from childbirth.
ReplyDelete