There are many concerns that surface when a woman is preparing to embark on the journey of motherhood:

• Does pain relief during childbirth affect the baby?
• Does everyone experience uterine prolapse after giving birth?
• What can I do to help my body recover better after childbirth?

These were among the questions raised by more than 100 expectant mothers & families attending FV Hospital’s “Afternoon Tea with Doctors” event on 25 July 2026.

In the first session, Dr Nguyen Duc Truong, FV Thomson Maternity Department, explained that uterine prolapse is not something women should only start thinking about after childbirth.. Protecting pelvic floor health requires attention right from pregnancy through choosing an appropriate delivery method, controlling risk factors, and especially proper care and exercises during the postpartum period.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus and rectum. It plays a vital role in urinary control, daily activities, and a woman’s overall quality of life. Following pregnancy and childbirth, especially after a vaginal birth, these muscles may weaken. This can lead to problems such as urinary incontinence, a feeling of pelvic heaviness, pain during intercourse, or the risk of pelvic organ prolapse.

To support women in restore pelvic floor health safely and effectively, the FV Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Department is one of the few hospital offering a dedicated pelvic floor rehabilitation programme. The programme includes pelvic floor assessment, guidance on correct pelvic floor muscle exercises, improving muscle control, and helping women regain confidence in everyday life after childbirth.

In addition, mothers delivering at FV Thomson Maternity can undergo assessment and treatment for pelvic floor issues using the Pelvic Center system. This specialised device supports pelvic floor muscle recovery using muscle stimulation technology, enhancing the strength and control of these muscle groups. This system can help treat common female pelvic floor disorders such as stress urinary incontinence, postpartum pelvic floor muscle weakness, or specific pelvic dysfunction conditions as prescribed by doctors.

In the second session, Dr Le Thi Bich Tram, Anaesthesiology Department, FV Hospital, addressed common concerns about pain relief during childbirth. Through clear, scientific explanations, she affirmed that epidural analgesia is a safe method when appropriately indicated and monitored by a specialist team. She also reassured mothers that, contrary to common misconceptions, it does not prevent mothers from pushing effectively during labour or harm the baby.

More importantly, effective pain management also allows mothers to remain calm, participate more effectively during labour, and enjoy a more comfortable childbirth experience.

In addition to medical insights, guests toured the FV Thomson Maternity, learning about maternity packages, delivery room, and inpatient wards. Seeing where they would welcome their baby helped many families feel more prepared and confident about their childbirth journey at FV.

FV Hospital sincerely thanks all the parents who joined the event and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to our next “Afternoon Tea with Doctors” in August, featuring even more practical advice and valuable discussions for expectant parents