Postnatal pelvic floor examinations
Postnatal check ups with a women’s health physio are strongly advised for all women, no matter whether you have had a vaginal or caesarean delivery.
Are you recently postnatal, or do you know someone who is? Have you/they had a pelvic floor assessment after childbirth?
Postnatal check ups with a women’s health physio are strongly advised for all women, whether you have had a vaginal or caesarean delivery.
Why?
It is so important for your short and long term pelvic health to ensure that your pelvic floor muscles are not only strong, but have great endurance, coordination, flexibility and are able to switch on when you need them - just like any other muscle in your body!
This helps to ensure that you are able to return to the exercise and daily activities that you love, without the fear of leaking, pain or prolapse symptoms.
When?
It is advised that from 6 weeks post-birth, you start thinking about booking in for your postnatal assessment. Pelvic health physiotherapy is extremely important, especially after childbirth.
The first 6 weeks are all about getting to know your baby and allowing your body the time and space to heal and recover, without overdoing it too much! You have after all just given birth to another human, after all.
From 6 weeks, we can start to prescribe you some specific pelvic floor exercises that will aid in the recovery of your pelvic floor, abdomen and other muscles to help you towards your goals.
What?
During a postnatal assessment, our women’s health physio will ask you a bunch of questions about your pregnancy, the delivery, and any ongoing symptoms that you may have regarding the bladder, bowel, intercourse, pain and return to exercise.
She will then explain the best assessment and treatment options for you going forward.
Note: assessments may involve an internal vaginal examination which will be discussed with you prior. This is not always required and your physio will advise you of all of your options.
If this sounds like it could be useful for you or someone you know, get in touch or book in online for your Christchurch women’s health appointment and lets get you back to running, jumping, squatting and moving with confidence!