Before Birth Check

A first time Mum? Or Mum of one or more?

Many women can experience ‘common but not normal’ symptoms during pregnancy such as:

• back and pelvic girdle pain (PGP)

• bladder and bowel dysfunction (urinary/ faecal frequency, urgency, leakage, constipation, haemorrhoids, anal fissure)

• pelvic organ prolapse (heaviness or bulging of bladder, bowel or uterus),

• dryness, pain or lack of sensation with sexual intercourse,

• perineal or c section scar pain, tenderness, numbness, puckering

• diastasis recti abdominus (abdominal muscle separation / doming tummy)

• joint pain

(NB experience of some of these symptoms may be more relevant to women during second or subsequent pregnancies.)

First time Mums, who may be asymptomatic, will use this assessment to best prepare themselves for the upcoming birth and the early postnatal phase. It is an optimal time to prioritise your pelvic health and take action to reduce or eliminate risk of pelvic floor or core dysfunction .

Some women report that they feel their pelvic floor is fully recovered after their first delivery but perhaps will first experience symptoms during subsequent pregnancies. If this is the case, now is the time to optimise your pelvic health and begin on an individualised programme.

The assessment begins with discussion around the symptoms that are priority to address which then better leads the objective element of the examination. For example, if pelvic girdle pain is the leading symptom, this is heavily focused upon within the initial consultation. Follow on care will focus on resolution of symptoms and also provide opportunity to discuss birth preparation advice and tips for early postnatal recovery. Your session is guided by you and your goals.

An individualised rehabilitation programme is established based on what was found within the assessment. This could include advice on pain management, use of pelvic girdle / back supports, breath work, pelvic floor & core exercises, perineal massage / stretching, functional low impact exercise and perhaps guidance with safely loading into high impact tasks such as weight training or running.