Raising pelvic health awareness

Midwives and Doctors across four Black Country NHS Trusts will all be working to reduce the risk of trauma caused by third and fourth degree tears that women can experience during childbirth.

The OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury) care bundle was launched for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on 1 July. This will be followed by launches at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in August, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust in September and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust shortly afterwards.

It is being pioneered by the Perinatal Pelvic Health Service (PPHS) across the Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS).

Ruth Hopper is the Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist and Clinical Lead for the PPHS and Paula Henry is the Perinatal Pelvic Health Specialist Midwife. Both are working with teams across the Black Country to support preventative pelvic health education.

Ruth said: “Our OASI launch event at Sandwell was really positive and we spoke to lots of staff about what can be done to reduce the risk of third and fourth degree tears during the antenatal period.

“As well as equipping staff with additional knowledge and skills we emphasised the importance of discussions between mums-to-be and clinicians about what interventions may be used during labour.”

Paula said the launch also provided an opportunity to highlight the PPHS, which is hosted by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

She added: “Our clear message is always “Don’t suffer in silence” but we know so many women do just that if they experience pelvic health dysfunction.

“At least a third of women have perineal tears that need stitches following childbirth and we are working to raise awareness among women to try to avoid pelvic floor health problems while ensuring specialist treatment is timely, accessible and equitable.”

Miss Wing-Han Cheung, Consultant Lead for the OASI Care Bundle, is working alongside Paula to deliver the training and she attended the launch.

She said it was important to get all relevant healthcare staff on board with the OASI care bundle implementation.

“The Black Country covers a massive area and we need to make sure all women get the level of support and care they need. Pelvic health dysfunction has far-reaching consequences,” she said.

To find out more about PPHS and the risk of tearing during childbirth please visit Healthier Futures – Perinatal Pelvic Health Service