What happens at your first postnatal physiotherapy check-up session?

Between 6-8 weeks after birth postnatal women are advised to see a pelvic health physiotherapist for their first postnatal check.

However, if you are experiencing lower back pain, coccyx pain, pelvic pain or any symptoms that concern you, then you don’t have to wait 8 weeks to seek help.
Postnatal doesn’t necessarily mean just after having a baby. Even If you had your baby a while ago and you are experiencing some symptoms, it’s never too late to book a physiotherapy check-up visit.

Your first session will cover a brief discussion about your labour, symptoms you are presenting with, and goals you would like to achieve.

The main part of your first postnatal session will include the actual assessment of your:

1. 1. Posture
2. 2. Breathing pattern
3. 3. Mobility tests for lumbar spine, lumbosacral region, pubic symphysis and hip.
4. 4. Mobility tests for thoracic spine
5. 5. Mobility tests for upper and lower cervical spine
6. 6. Elasticity tests for chest, ribs and diaphragm
7. 7. Presence of abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti) & assessment of core cylinder
8. 8. Abdominal viscera
9. 9. Scar tissue from episiotomy, tear or c-section
10. 10. Internal functional pelvic floor examination

 

Photo credit: OM_Hackney

At the end of the session, you will be given advice on posture, breathing strategies, bowel and bladder habits, how to safety return to your exercise routine, how to work with the scar tissue, and how to start re-educating your pelvic floor muscles and deep core muscles at home.

If you wish to book your first postnatal appointment, please contact me.