Pregnancy and childbirth is such a beautiful milestone in a woman’s life. This new chapter brings immense joy and excitement. It also results in unique changes to a mother’s life in many ways, both emotionally and physically.
When is the postpartum period?
The postpartum period, also referred to as the fourth trimester, typically starts after the delivery of the baby to about 6-12 weeks after. This is the time when the pregnancy-related body changes return to the pre-pregnancy state.
Why should I go for a postpartum comprehensive check up ?
Pregnancy and delivery can impact mothers in different ways. In a typically busy ObGyn clinic, the necessary check ups may not be performed thoroughly for the mother. If the postpartum recovery is neglected, especially if issues are not highlighted early, they can potentially lead to conditions such as back pain, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel weakness and even issues with sex.
Awareness, assessment and timely evidence-based treatment are key in the recovery from such a major body event. A postpartum comprehensive check up is a dedicated 45 minutes session with a women’s health physiotherapist. A women’s health physiotherapist is highly experienced and specialised in performing a detailed examination of your body and addressing any issues promptly.
What should I expect during a postpartum comprehensive check up?
A women’s health physiotherapist will be assessing the following:
Posture – It’s all about Mummy Ergonomics! Your body alignment would have been altered during pregnancy due to the bodily changes. A proper posture is important for optimal body and muscle functioning. A women’s health physiotherapist will assess your sitting and standing posture, and instruct on the appropriate adjustments to prevent or manage symptoms. In addition, she will advise how to handle your child safely and efficiently, particularly for carrying or picking-up your baby, or for breastfeeding.
Diastasis recti – This is a dreaded condition that mothers may have heard of, but have no time to assess or address when the focus is mainly on caring for a newborn. Diastasis Recti is a separation of the abdominal muscles along the line of connective tissue that runs down the centre of the abdomen. This typically occurs in the third trimester as the uterus naturally stretches to allow for the rapid growth of the baby. It is advisable to diagnose this condition early and seek prompt treatment to avoid complications such as low back pain, or hernia. At the Women and Children’s Centre, our women’s health physiotherapist will be using real-time ultrasound to assess the degree of abdominal muscles separation, before instructing on how to visualise and engage your core muscles to allow recovery.
Pelvic floor muscles – The pelvic floor muscles may have been weakened during pregnancy. Potential consequences of weak pelvic floor muscles include the inability to control your pee, or feces; womb, bladder, and/or rectum prolapse; and having a loose vagina. With the use of real-time ultrasound or by doing a vaginal examination, your therapist will be able to evaluate the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and teach how to exercise your muscles correctly.
Pelvis assessment – Hips don’t lie! Your pelvic bone alignment and functioning may have been affected by pregnancy and childbirth due to the softening of ligaments or weakening of the support muscles to your hip bone. An unstable pelvis often results in back and pelvic pain. Your physiotherapist will do a detailed assessment of your hip alignment and advise if treatment is required.
Sexual health – Some women may become apprehensive to resume sexual activity after childbirth, which may be attributed to episiotomy (procedure to widen the birth canal) or perineal tears during delivery. With the use of specialised assessment tools, a women’s health therapist will be able to determine if you are at risk of developing sexual dysfunction. She will then customise an exercise programme to address your issues.
During the delicate, busy and frantic postpartum period, everyone’s attention will be on the baby. But it is equally important to take care of the mother too!
Deliver your loved one the gift of a healthy pelvic floor. Simply provide your contact details to purchase a PCCU gift voucher today!
Our Locations
Physio&SoleClinic
Physiotherapy, Pre & Postnatal 
April 8 2022 
