Most women see their GP for a 6-week check after having their baby but many aren’t aware that seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist at this stage can be just as valuable.
Your body has gone through enormous change during pregnancy and birth. The six week physio check is a great opportunity to understand how you’re recovering and get guidance that is specifically tailored to you!
At your 6-week check, a pelvic health physio can help with:
Stretching and some separation of your abdominal muscles during pregnancy, to accommodate your growing baby, is perfectly normal. After birth, the muscles gradually come back together by 8-12 weeks, however they don’t always come all the way back together. Wearing support garments, such as Tubigrip or SRC recovery shorts, during the first six weeks can help.
Targeted strengthening can also help and a physio can guide you through safe, effective exercises.
As most recovery happens within the first 6–12 months, this is a great time to start.
Your pelvic floor muscles stretch significantly during a vaginal birth, (up to three times their original length!) and need time-and guidance-to regain strength.
These muscles play many vital roles in your body, including:
A pelvic floor assessment gives you a clear starting point, letting you know how strong the muscles are currently and how stretched they are. You then get a personalised plan for recovery, which is especially important if you’re hoping to return to running, gym or sport. Full recovery of pelvic floor strength and function is also important in helping prevent the risk of future pelvic organ prolapse.
Delivery by Caesarian Section, involves cutting through all 3 layers of the abdominal wall. This is major abdominal surgery and recovery takes time.
After the initial healing phase (around 6 weeks), gentle scar massage and strengthening can begin. Support such as silicone scar strips may improve healing and guided rehab can help you safely return to exercise.
It’s not uncommon to experience things like leaking, urgency or constipation during or after pregnancy. These can be related to pelvic floor muscle function, or sometimes, to the birth.
While common, these symptoms aren’t something you need to “just live with.” Addressing them early can prevent ongoing issues.
Getting back into movement is important, but doing it gradually is key.
A pelvic health physio can help you:
Gentle movement like walking, swimming or cycling is often a great place to start, alongside targeted strengthening.
Ensuring that your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are ready for more high impact activity, is particularly helpful for avoiding injury and pelvic floor issues.
It’s normal for intimacy to feel different after birth.
Hormonal changes due to breast feeding can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort and if you’ve had stitches this can also cause tenderness.
These symptoms usually improve with time, but if discomfort continues, support is available.
Getting support with these issues early can make a big difference to your recovery and help prevent longer-term issues.
This appointment is also a chance to discuss and get support with anything else you may be experiencing-whether that’s back or pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, mastitis or any other concerns about your recovery.
Every postnatal journey is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all recovery.
If you’d like personalised guidance, reassurance or simply to better understand your body after birth, a pelvic health physio can help you feel more confident moving forward!
