Pelvic Floor Function & Birth: What Does the Research Say?
As pelvic health physiotherapists, we’re often asked whether the state of the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy can impact birth outcomes. While birth is influenced by many complex factors, emerging research does suggest that certain pelvic floor characteristics may play a role in how labour progresses.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what recent research is showing:
Pelvic Floor Tone
High resting tone—where the muscles are overactive or unable to relax—has been linked to longer second stages of labour and a higher chance of caesarean delivery. On the flip side, a lower resting tone or wider pelvic floor opening may support a smoother vaginal birth. If tone is elevated during pregnancy, targeted physiotherapy techniques like downtraining or manual release may help.
Pelvic Floor Distensibility (Stretchiness)
The ability of the pelvic floor to stretch—known as distensibility—does seem to matter. Women with more flexible pelvic tissues are more likely to have a vaginal delivery.
Paradoxical Contraction
Some people unknowingly tense their pelvic floor when they should be relaxing it—this is called paradoxical contraction, and it can make it harder to push effectively during birth. Identifying and retraining this pattern during pregnancy can support better birthing mechanics.
So What Can You Do?
Every body is different. A tailored assessment during pregnancy can help identify your pelvic floor patterns and guide the right strategies—whether that’s relaxation, mobility work, or simply reassurance.
If you're pregnant and want to learn more about how your pelvic floor might affect your birth, our physiotherapists are here to support you through every stage.
Book a Pelvic Health Assessment Today
At Balanced Physiotherapy & Pilates, our experienced team supports women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. If you’re looking for expert guidance on how your pelvic floor may influence your birth, we’re here to help. Read more on how we can help with our Pelvic Floor Assessment for Birth Preparation.
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