This is perhaps the most damaging myth in women's health. Stress urinary incontinence — leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise — affects around one in three women who have had children. But common does not mean normal, and it certainly doesn't mean inevitable.

The truth: Leaking is a sign that the pelvic floor isn't functioning as it should. With the right assessment and treatment, most women see meaningful improvement, and many achieve full resolution of symptoms. You don't have to just put up with it.

Pelvic floor exercises — Kegels — are often presented as the universal solution to all pelvic floor problems. The reality is more nuanced.

The truth: Some women have a pelvic floor that is too tight, not too weak. For these women, Kegels can actually make symptoms worse. A thorough assessment is essential before prescribing any pelvic floor exercise programme. The goal is a pelvic floor that can both contract and relax effectively — not simply one that can squeeze harder.

Many women assume that because they didn't have a vaginal birth, their pelvic floor is unaffected.

The truth: It's true that caesarean birth is associated with a lower risk of stress incontinence specifically, compared with vaginal birth. But pregnancy itself — regardless of how birth occurs — places significant load on the pelvic floor. The weight of the growing uterus, the hormonal changes that affect connective tissue, and the postural adaptations of pregnancy all have an impact. Caesarean birth doesn't eliminate the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction — women who have had caesarean sections can and do experience issues including prolapse, abdominal separation (diastasis), and other symptoms.

Many women assume that because they're not leaking or experiencing pain, everything must be working well.

The truth: Pelvic floor dysfunction can be present without obvious symptoms, particularly in the early postnatal period. A proactive assessment — like a Mummy MOT — can identify issues before they become symptomatic, and give you the tools to support your recovery from the start.

I see women in clinic who had their last baby ten, fifteen, even twenty years ago and have been managing symptoms ever since — assuming nothing could be done.

The truth: It is never too late to seek help for pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor can respond to rehabilitation at any age. Whether your symptoms are recent or longstanding, a specialist assessment is always worthwhile.

If any of these myths have been holding you back from seeking support, I hope this helps. Get in touch — I'd love to help you understand what's actually going on and what we can do about it.