Post-Natal Physio Morphett Vale
The pelvic floor supports the bladder, bowel and reproductive organs, and pregnancy or birth can change its strength, timing or ability to relax. Leakage, a feeling of heaviness, urgency, pelvic discomfort or difficulty emptying the bladder can each point towards a different approach. Pelvic floor exercises are not automatically the answer for everyone. Some people need gradual strengthening, while others need to reduce tension and improve coordination with breathing. A physiotherapist may ask about coughing, lifting and toileting habits, then assess control in a respectful, clinically appropriate way. Progress should relate to comfort and function during daily activities.
Abdominal separation is also frequently discussed after pregnancy. Diastasis recti describes changes in the connective tissue between the two sides of the abdominal muscles, but the visible width of that area does not describe the whole picture. Assessment may include breathing, pressure management, trunk control and movements such as rolling in bed, rising from the floor or lifting a car seat. If your abdomen domes as you sit up, changing the movement and practising controlled loading may be more useful than repeatedly doing sit-ups. The programme should match your current capacity, not an imagined standard of recovery.
Back, hip and pelvic pain often reflect a mismatch between present capacity and daily demands. Carrying a seven-kilogram baby on one hip, pushing a pram uphill and standing for a long feed can add up, even without damaged tissue. Treatment may include manual techniques to reduce stiffness or sensitivity, followed by movement practice that builds confidence and strength. Practical changes can include switching carrying sides, using pillows to support feeding, bringing the baby closer before lifting and sharing heavier jobs. A brief note on which task brings on symptoms can help identify the load that needs adjusting.
Returning to exercise works best as a graded process. A former runner may manage a brisk walk but still experience leakage, pelvic heaviness or pain with impact. Someone returning to swimming, Pilates, resistance training or weekend sport may need a different progression. The assessment can consider sleep, delivery history, symptoms during exercise and how you feel later that day or the next morning. Increase one feature at a time, such as walking duration, resistance, pace or jumping. If symptoms rise, reduce the recent change and allow recovery rather than treating the response as a failed rehabilitation plan.
A useful appointment includes more than a collection of exercises. The physiotherapist may review how you get up from the floor, lift the car seat, carry your baby and move in bed. Bringing a short symptom record can prevent guesswork: write down the activity, when symptoms began, how long they lasted and whether rest changed them. New or worsening numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, severe pain, wound concerns or unusual bleeding need prompt medical advice. Physiotherapy does not replace assessment by your GP, midwife or obstetric team when those concerns arise.
Your initial plan might involve breathing and pelvic floor coordination, a comfortable walking schedule, changes to lifting technique or carefully selected strengthening work. Manual therapy can be included where appropriate, but active movement and practical education usually support longer-term progress. Review should consider whether feeding, carrying, sleep and exercise are becoming easier, rather than relying only on a single strength test. If you are seeking pregnancy and post-natal care, ask how progress will be checked and what to change if symptoms alter. Care should reflect your body, birth experience, routine and return-to-activity goals.
Leave a Reply