After my second child, I felt it even more so. Without going into extensive detail, I suffered a great deal of trauma from placenta expulsion. I was quite embarrassed about it, so I hid it from everyone. I dealt with pain and a loss of feeling silently for two years. In the end it all became too much for me. I sought the advice of a Physiotherapist to initially help with pain that I was experiencing from hip discomfort.

During my first consultation my physio asked certain questions that had prompted me to explain all the pain, discomfort and loss of feeling (internally) that I had been experiencing for so long. She was shocked that I had not addressed these issues sooner. This is when I realised it all came down to embarrassment. I suffered because I was too ashamed to talk about the symptoms I had been experiencing post birth for fear of being ridiculed.

I had never been made to feel more comfortable and at ease once I had let my guard down to my Physio. She helped me to understand that a woman’s reproduction system is no different to that of an arm or leg and if it’s not working in proper order it will greatly affect a person’s general, physical and mental health.

I was given, and went through, various options of treatments and exercises to improve mobility, sensation and even apparatus to use internally to gain strength with my pelvic floor and also massage to train my pelvic floor to disengage (it shouldn’t be engaged all the time). These treatments have helped and aided in bringing a certain amount of comfort back to my daily life. I still suffer from the irreparable damage, but I am far better off than I was before I became educated on the necessity to understand the female body and how there is absolutely no need whatsoever to suffer in silence for fear of embarrassment.

I would recommend a Women’s Health Physiotherapist to any woman who is experiencing any form of pain, discomfort or change within their body. I urge you to come with an open mind - as their treatments, and helpful aids (Kegel ball) can help to repair your body. As long as you are willing to put in continued effort, you will be half way there to getting the best outcome for yourself.

• Erin, mum of 2. Australia