Postnatal Physio

Your body has accomplished something truly remarkable in growing and bringing a baby into the world. We’re here to support you during this postpartum journey, offering pelvic floor rehabilitation, scar management guidance, assistance with returning to exercise, and more

How women’s health physio’s can support you during this time.

  • During a vaginal delivery your pelvic floor undergoes significant stretch to allow baby to pass through the pelvis. It can be vulnerable to injury during this time. Injury can result in incontinence, prolapse and pain. Pelvic health Physio’s are experts in pelvic floor muscle training and can help improve your muscles function.

    We still recommend a pelvic floor check if you have delivered via Caesarean section particularly if you want to return to sport. This is because your body has not only carried a weight around for nine months but undergone significant hormonal changes too.

  • Every mum who carries to 36 weeks will have some degree of abdominal separation. This is a normal and expected part of pregnancy to allow baby to grow.

    Where your separation returns to is largely based on genetics and collagen make up.

    However, there are things we can do to help. If you have been told you have a significant abdominal separation we recommend a review at 3 weeks postpartum.

  • Perineal or abdominal scar? We can provide advice for best scar healing.

    Typically scar rehab can commence at six weeks as long as the stitches have healed well.

  • It is common to be apprehensive about returning to intimacy particularly if you have had tearing or an episiotomy. We can help guide you on returning to intimacy when you feel ready.

  • Often women are told at their 6 week check that they are good to go.

    However, we know that returning to activity after pregnancy and birth is a lot more complex than that.

    We can provide a tailored and gradual plan to help return to activity after birth.

    We understand the physical and hormonal changes that occur in the postpartum period and consider this in your postpartum rehab.

  • These are often related to postural changes and changes in demands on the body. We can treat this and provide strength and mobility exercises to support you in this time. Mummy thumb (DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis), thoracic pain and lower back pain are common conditions we treat.

  • it’s the small things.

When to book your postpartum appointment?

We recommend a six week postpartum appointment. This is because it is the earliest we would offer an internal pelvic floor check.

However, in some instances we recommend review prior to this time point.

We would recommend booking in sooner if:

  • you have experienced a grade 3 or 4 perineal tear

  • If you have been told you have significant abdominal separation

  • Thing’s just don’t feel right down there and you want somebody to take a look. We would rather you feel you have someone to talk to about this as opposed to waiting and worrying.