What is a Women's Health Physio & Why Is It Important?
Finding a good Women’s Health Physio is an essential phase of your postpartum recovery.
It is the postnatal check you deserve, women’s health physio’s are the unsung heroes in getting you back to your training.
We recommend EVERYBODY see’s one before spending any money on personal training or fitness classes as the early investment can save you a long journey of problems.
So what is a Women's Health Physio (WHP)?
Essentially a pelvic health physio.
They specialise in checking/rebuilding your pelvic floor and aid you with your postpartum core recovery . When you go see one they usually provide a “Mummy MOT” which is a check that can cover;
-A check for Diastasis Recti
-Postural analysis
-Pelvic floor assessment
-Assessment for scar recovery and provide tips for recovery
-Check for bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction
-You will also get a report for their findings and a plan on how to move forward with your postnatal recovery
When Should You See A WHP After Delivery?
Your postpartum check with a WHP is usually after 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a C-section. For your pelvic floor assessment there is the option to have an internal check, which gives your physio a better understanding of your pelvic floor and some may also offer the use of an ultrasound for your check too.
The postural analysis will look at whether you have either upper cross or lower cross syndrome which is very common for most mamas due to the changes in their body and posture which needs to happen to first of all accommodate your bump and then from the first phase of motherhood where you are holding and feeding your little one.
A postural check may also go over your breathing patterns as this is essential for regaining your core and pelvic floor function as the diaphragm and pelvic floor should work in sync together but this can sometimes get affected due to how your body changed during pregnancy.
With your sessions you usually have an initial consultation, where you get a plan to follow to improve your pelvic floor and core.
Then a second session to check progress and hopefully that is all you require but they will keep you in the loop with how you are progressing.
We recommend that all client try to see a WHP before starting with their fitness journey just to give you the best possible return to health.
Sessions usually cost around 2 PT sessions but they will give you 10 times the value that a PT session in the early stages could.
You may be able to get a referral from your GP but these can take some time to come through.
We try to work with your WHP to tailor your sessions and to give you the best possible care, programme and results for you after giving birth.
It is a win-win for you, for us and for your Women’s Health Physio.
We recommend speaking to a Mummy MOT Physio and if you click the link it will take you to their directory.
But if none of the listed physios are in your area just google “Mummy MOT” or “postnatal check” and a number of local options will pop up.
Do you want to work with a coach? Click below to apply for a space!
Ben - Head PT for London Fitness Mamas
Ben is a dad of 2, who has been working with pre and postnatal clients since 2009.
He believes strongly in making exercise and nutrition as simple as possible while looking for progression in every aspect of your lifestyle.
Motherhood is a unique phase of life and requires a unique training programme.