How long did you have to wait for your NHS women's health physio referral?

[Sickofbeingfobbedoff]

Hello fellow mums,

I have been waiting 2 months now for an NHS referral to a women's health physio to treat prolapse following childbirth. This is following several GP appointments to convince them I needed to be referred in the first place.

I have followed up with my GP surgery by writing to them and threatening them with a PALs complaint if they did not follow up (there have been a catalogue of errors up until this point) and they miraculously managed to get me an appointment the following week which is 2 months after the referral was made.

Apparently the waiting time for a women's health physio appointment is much longer than this on average in my area which I find quite shocking given what an impact these sorts of issues can have on quality of life.

I am angry that I have had to go to these lengths to receive what should be routine care for these sorts of birth injuries and just wondering if anyone has had the same experience?

By the way, the prolapse was never identified at my 6 week check so I am now 5 months further down the line before receiving any treatment. They don't do internal examinations at a 6 week check where I live and just tell people they are good to go without an internal examination. I find this mind boggling knowing what I know now.

Sorry for the long post. Clearly I have a lot to get off my chest! Wondering if anyone is in the same boat? Or if people are on the other side, did you find the NHS physio useful when you went?

A friend of mine had to go to a group physio session [boggles] first before seeing a physio one on one.

I went when I was pregnant and had an appointment within two weeks. I guess it was that quick though due to pregnancy.

If you can afford to find a private women's health physio. I had to wait about 6 months for an NHS one and was just told to do pelvic exercises and wait and see what happens!

I waited about three weeks in June.

It was several years ago (!) but I had to wait months and months for my referral after the birth of DC1 ....

I didn't find it useful at all. I was given something called "the educator" which you could buy in Boots at the time anyway. Basically a plastic thing that you stick in your fanjo and squeeze, to tone up your pelvic floor. However, I literally cannot squeeze my pelvic floor. I have absolutely zero muscle response there. The physio's answer to this was "try harder."

For years since then I have been telling myself that I will get a private referral, but all the private women's health physios round here want a GP referral. I shall ask for one next week whenI go for my smear ....

Oh the joys. Good luck OP. Keep pushing (no pun intended) for what you need.

Thanks for your replies everyone . First time posting on here-I hope I've got the emojis right.

Sounds like a pretty mixed bag then depending on when and where you give birth! @Yellredder and @DerbyshireOatcake 2-3 weeks sounds super speedy so that's good.

@Grambler group session for pelvic floor rehab-no thankyou

@Maralb yep I believe it must be around a 6 month wait where I am unless you are really persistent. It's awful considering a lot of mums would be returning to work around then still with lingering health problems to deal with.

@MrsSpenserGregson 'try harder' that's not helpful! I had the same problem in the first few weeks after birth and the midwives would just robotically say 'do your kegels' without any advice on how to do them correctly. Not helpful. You should defo seek another referral whether that be to NHS or private physio.

Sorry to hear that a couple of you haven't had great experiences of NHS physio or long wait times. Have you given feedback? I am very much one for letting people know if things could be improved but appreciate it's not everyone's style .

Mine took about 8 weeks from GP apt to initial appointment.

@msannthropic thanks, did you find it helpful? My initial appointment is scheduled for next week and not sure what to expect. Really hoping I get a few sessions and not just sent away with a leaflet or something. The longer these symptoms go on for, the more it reminds me of the difficult birth . I just want to move on with my life.

Ah, yes I totally understand. So much so I left it years after my first, very traumatic birth.

I haven't actually been yet. First apt is next week too!

@MsAnn Thropic sounds like you have really been through it. I'm glad you're seeing a specialist now though. In some countries they offer physio to all women after birth as standard postnatal care. We Brits have to fight for it!

Ooh what are the chances! I hope it goes well. Keeping fingers crossed for you x

Mine was about three weeks I think. But it was the same answer. Pelvic floor exercises and loose weight. To be fair the exercises did help. I still now have relapses but I up the exercises and it goes away.

I'm currently pregnant, got referred for physio 5 months ago, still not heard anything 🤷🏻‍♀️ so I've gone private!