Post Natal Physiotherapy

It takes 9 months to grow your baby and straight after birth we are expected to start immediately caring for a new baby…after being through the trauma of labour! Taking time to heal and recover is a must, and can significantly reduce the likelihood of complications later on. Physiotherapy can assess and treat for:

  • Risk factors for developing pelvic floor dysfunction - we can literally assess your pelvic floor and tell you the likelihood of developing prolapse or leaking!

  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (separation of the tummy muscles)

  • Neck, back and pelvic pain

  • Stress urinary incontinence

  • Prolapse - now covered by ACC

  • Constipation and bowel problems

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction

  • Scars from episiotomy and Caesarian section (C-Section)

  • Vaginal/perineal/anal sphincter tearing - now covered by ACC

When should you get back to exercise? What exercise should you do? This will depend on a lot of individual facts such as vaginal birth vs cesarean section, activity levels during pregnancy, pelvic floor strength and co-ordination and many more. Most women are told to wait 6 weeks before getting back to activity…but should you wait longer?

Tissues and muscles take at least 12 weeks to heal to even half their potential strength. If you sprained your ankle, you would not go for a 5 km run straight away, you would let the ankle heal, working on strength and stability, start a walking programme and adding running in gradually.

Why is the pelvic floor any different?

Post-Natal WOF

We all know 6 weeks is not nearly long enough to know if your body has healed from pregnancy and labour. And impact activity is not suggested until at (the absolute are minimum!) least 3 months. There are no “safe” pelvic floor exercises or exercise to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction (if you have been told this…seriously question your health provider!).

There are risk factors for developing pelvic floor dysfunction, high and low risk women, and high and low risk exercises. Not having symptoms now does not mean you are not at risk of developing problems in the future. How do you know if you are at risk? A post-Natal WOF.

This 45 minute appointment is an abdominal and pelvic health check up after birth. Suitable from 6 weeks post natal - unless you are having pain, leaking or prolapse symptoms - please make an appointment sooner

***This appointment is a check-up/screen only. If you have any symptoms such as leakage, prolapse or had perineal tearing/instrumental delivery please book a Woman's Health Initial appointment.***

The assessment will include:

  • Screening for pelvic floor dysfunction

  • Detailed pelvic floor exam 

  • Current risk factors for developing pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary and bowel incontinence,  prolapse)

  • Strength, tone and co-ordination of your pelvic floor muscles

  • Education on how your core, pelvic floor, core and breathing connect and work together

  • Return to sport and exercise advice 

ACC Cover for Maternal birthing Injuries

What a game changer this is! From 1st October 2022, women who sustain certain birthing injuries will now be eligible for cover under ACC. Please note these treatments are not free. At Essential Physio, we have worked super hard over the past 2 years to secure a contract with ACC meaning we can make our ACC Pelvic Floor Physio surcharges very affordable. We only get paid for these treatments if the patient shows up – so we will be having a strict cancellation policy to offer these prices.

  • 45 minute appointment = $10 surcharg

  • Pessary fitting appointments = $25-45 surcharge

Not all injuries are covered: prolapses, OASI, coccyx fractures, pubic symphysis injuries will be covered. Stress incontinence, tummy separation and episiotomies (unless they extend further than the original excision) are not covered by ACC but patients can still get help with these privately. Lesley is fitting vaginal support pessaries to help with the early management of prolapse – so getting patients in sooner is advised.