Perineal Clinic
The perineal clinic is a specialised clinic for women who require follow up for perineal or pelvic floor problems following childbirth.
What is the perineal clinic?
This is a specialised clinic that looks after women who have experienced perineal trauma in the form of a tear to the anal sphincter (the muscle that controls your back passage). The clinic also sees people who are experiencing ongoing issues as a result of sustaining a second-degree tear that has broken down or have had an episiotomy (surgical cut at the time of delivery) which has broken down.
The specialist team will review the healing of your tear to assess how the pelvic floor and bowel muscles are functioning and can also offer advice for delivery in subsequent pregnancies. You may be referred if you have problems with perineal wound healing or infections, perineal pain, and persistent postnatal bladder or bowel symptoms.
How do I get referred to the clinic?
To be referred to the clinic, please ask your Doctor, Midwife, Physiotherapist or health visitor to refer you.
The perineal clinic team
Our team comprises a specialist Midwife, specialist Physiotherapists and Consultant Uro-Gynaecologists.
You may meet:
- Claire Winchester: Specialist perineal midwife
- Rosie Hunter-Rosser: Clinical Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
- Rebecca Carr: Clinical Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Your Appointment
The clinic runs every Friday morning (based in the antenatal clinic at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital).
You will be seen by a specialist who will ask you questions about topics such as your most recent delivery, any previous pregnancies, plus any bladder or bowel symptoms that you have. You may also be offered an examination, depending on the reason for your attendance. This may be slightly uncomfortable but is not painful.
Following your examination, the team will explain the findings and discuss various options for investigation and/or management with you. You may also be advised whether or not a future vaginal delivery is safe for you.
Our specialist team will do everything they can to ensure that your visit to the clinic is informative, helpful and as comfortable as possible.
Resources
You may find the resources below helpful for further information and support.