[SHOULD EVERY WOMAN AFTER LABOR BE OFFERED PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY?]

Pelvic floor damage can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or post-partum, and may be expressed by symptoms such as urinary incontinence, fecal and gas incontinence, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse and chronic pelvic pain. Some of the symptoms, which manifest later in a woman's life, will go unrecognized in the immediate postpartum period. Most women do not mention their general health, unless specifically asked. Physiotherapists, who are adept with the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and the ability to diagnose unique differences, can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum pelvic floor problems. Monitoring, pelvic floor physiotherapy and exercise can be effective both in treatment and prevention of functional disorders of the pelvic floor. In this article, we will discuss pelvic floor problems and their appearance throughout pregnancy and childbirth, and the means of treatment from the physiotherapist's perspective. We raise the question as to whether all postpartum women could benefit from a training program of pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is included in the health basket in Israel, but is not broadly utilized. Wider use could be adopted, particularly in light of the latest research evidence.