What To Expect At Your Postnatal Check

With Angela Hewitt, Women’s Health Physiotherapist

 

Having a baby is a BIG DEAL. Your body goes through enormous changes during pregnancy and delivery, whether you have a vaginal birth or a caesarean section.

 

Most women attend a 6 week check with their GP or obstetrician, but the pelvic floor is not typically assessed at these appointments. But did you know that 1 in 3 postnatal women have urinary incontinence, and 1 in 10 have faecal incontinence?  This is why it is recommended that all Mums see a Women’s Health Physio at least once after their delivery.

At your Postnatal check we will take a detailed history about your general health, your pregnancy, birth, and recovery.  We will ask questions about your bladder function, incontinence, your bowel habits, sexual function, and any symptoms of prolapse.  You might not have been asked these intimate questions before, but nothing is off limits with your Women’s Health Physio!

We will ask about your goals and help create a plan to work towards them.  If exercise is important to you, we will support you safely back to your physical best, whether it be walking the dog, running, CrossFit or just playing with the kids in the backyard.

The pelvic floor muscles are best assessed via an internal exam.  This allows the physio to feel the tone of the muscles, ensure you are contracting and relaxing them correctly, and to grade the strength and endurance of the muscles.

If an internal exam isn’t possible for whatever reason, the next best assessment is using real time ultrasound to look through your abdomen.  This allows us to see if the base of the bladder is lifting correctly when you perform a pelvic floor contraction.  It doesn’t give us as much information as an internal exam but is still very useful.

Depending on the assessment findings you will usually be given homework which might include pelvic floor strengthening (or relaxation) exercises, stretches, and abdominal strengthening exercises.  You may also be given advice on posture, breastfeeding positions, managing your bladder and bowel, safe return to exercise, and returning to intercourse.

If you have any questions about the postnatal check or any of our other Women’s Health services, please get in touch with us.  Our Women’s Health Physio, Angela Hewitt, is currently available for bookings on Mondays and Fridays at the Mulgrave Rd clinic.  Please call 40513252 or email angela@cairnstotalphysio.com.au.