{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T22:28:56Z","timestamp":1786487336021,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"Pasifika Medical Association Group","issue":"1640","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["NZMJ"],"abstract":"<jats:p>aim: This study aims to explore the experiences of women with pelvic floor dysfunction within the postnatal period (1 year after birth),\nspecifically their experience in accessing information, diagnosis and treatment for their symptoms.\nmethods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with women during their postnatal period and key informant health\nprofessionals involved in perinatal healthcare. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.\nresults: Postnatal women participants reported a very poor experience of accessing information, diagnosis and treatment of their\npelvic floor symptoms in the year after giving birth. Women\u2019s symptoms were normalised or dismissed, with multiple other barriers\nin place to accessing the appropriate treatment. Key informants acknowledged the societal and health system barriers to postnatal\npelvic floor dysfunction treatment and rehabilitation.\nconclusion: The study highlights significant, avoidable gaps in perinatal healthcare provision, which is based on a specialised model\nof care, not suitable for a highly prevalent health issue for women. A specific maternal postnatal primary care check, in addition to a\nnational pelvic floor dysfunction clinical guideline with appropriate training of perinatal health professionals, is likely to significantly\nimprove women\u2019s experience of pelvic floor dysfunction in the postnatal period.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.26635\/6965.7374","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T21:50:14Z","timestamp":1786485014000},"page":"31-39","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Women\u2019s experience of accessing information, diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in the postnatal period in New Zealand\u2014a qualitative descriptive study"],"prefix":"10.26635","volume":"139","author":[{"given":"Laura","family":"Seary","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Catherine","family":"Cook","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anja","family":"Vorster","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"11177","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]},"container-title":["New Zealand Medical Journal"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T21:50:15Z","timestamp":1786485015000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/nzmj.org.nz\/journal\/vol-139-no-1640\/women-s-experience-of-accessing-information-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-pelvic-floor-dysfunction-in-the-postnatal-period-in-new-z"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]},"references-count":0,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1640","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.26635\/6965.7374","relation":{},"ISSN":["1175-8716"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1175-8716","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]}}}