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A specialist NHS service in County Durham and Darlington has received more than 2,000 referrals in its first year from women and birthing people with pelvic health concerns.
Run by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), the Perinatal Pelvic Health Service offers tailored advice, assessment and treatment from pregnancy to one year after birth.
Andrea Longden, lead midwife for perinatal pelvic health and clinical education at CDDFT, said: "It has been fantastic to see how much the service has grown over the past year.
"More than 2,000 people have been referred to our specialist team, showing the real need for accessible pelvic health support during pregnancy and after birth.
"We are incredibly proud of what the team has achieved.
"Alongside providing individual support and treatment, we have worked closely with maternity colleagues to raise awareness, share knowledge and strengthen pelvic health care across our services.
"It is wonderful to know that women and birthing people are getting the help they need to feel more confident, recover well and improve their quality of life."
Launched in September 2025 with NHS England funding, the service treats urinary and bowel problems, pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse symptoms, pain during or after sex, perineal tears and separated tummy muscles.
Support is available through telephone assessments, group sessions and one-to-one appointments.
The service has opened an Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) clinic at Bishop Auckland Hospital, offering specialist follow-up after third- or fourth-degree tears during childbirth.
The team has also trained staff in Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI), a severe third- or fourth-degree perineal tear, and pelvic dysfunction to improve prevention and treatment.
The rate of third- and fourth-degree tears fell from 2.7 per cent to 1.7 per cent over the past year, compared with the UK average of 2.9 per cent.
The service also offers weekly Pilates classes, and women and birthing people can self-refer to specialist pelvic health physiotherapists.
Ms Longden said: "Pelvic health can sometimes be a difficult subject to talk about, and women and birthing people may not always realise that symptoms such as bladder or bowel problems, pelvic pain or discomfort following birth are things they can get help with.
"Our message is simple: you do not have to put up with symptoms or suffer in silence.
"We want women and birthing people to know that support is available, and we are here to help them through pregnancy and the first year after their baby is born.
"Thank you to everyone across maternity and our wider services who has supported the development of pelvic health care over the past year.
"This has been a real team effort, and we are excited about continuing to build on what we have achieved."
Patients reported better strength, confidence, physical function and emotional wellbeing.
One patient called the service “game changing”, while another said group physiotherapy and Pilates helped her regain function, improve her wellbeing and rebuild her confidence after giving birth.
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The Perinatal Pelvic Health Service is open from the start of pregnancy until one year after birth.
Women and birthing people can self-refer through the CDDFT website.
Find out more and access support at www.cddft.nhs.uk.
The trust also runs Darlington Memorial Hospital.