Pregnancy Physiotherapy

Pregnancy Physiotherapy is a Womens Health Physio

At Peak Flo Physio we treat and manage a range of pelvic floor and musculoskeletal conditions during pregnancy including:

  • Pelvic girdle pain

  • Lower back pain

  • Neck and thoracic pain

  • Rib pain

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Pelvic floor symptoms like incontinence, constipation and pelvic pain 

  • Birth Preparation and Pelvic floor risk screening

A pregnancy assessment may include:

  • A discussion about your pregnancy journey and birth preferences

  • Your gynaecological and obstetric history

  • A comprehensive history about your bladder, bowel and sexual function

  • A thorough medical and menstrual history

  • A physical examination that will assess for pelvic girdle pain and risk factors for common pregnancy related concerns.

  • A discussion about exercise in pregnancy, guidelines and precautions.

  • A discussion about your anatomy: pelvis, pelvic floor, vagina and vulva and the changes that may occur during your pregnancy.

  • We will screen your pelvic floor in order to prevent or diagnose early any pelvic floor dysfunction

  • Abdominal and prolapse education and potential management

Pregnancy and Postnatal Pelvic Floor Pathway

When you're expecting, there’s so much to think about, and one of the most common questions we hear is, “When should I see a Pelvic Floor Physio?” At Peak Flo Physio, we’ve created a simple pathway to guide you through the key stages of pregnancy and postnatal recovery, so you can stay ahead of your pelvic health every step of the way.

Initial Assessment (Week 13-25)

Your first visit can happen at any point during your pregnancy, but we recommend booking in after your first trimester, ideally around 13 weeks. This session is likely your first-ever pelvic floor evaluation, where we assess your movement patterns, strength, and baseline pelvic floor function. By understanding where you’re starting from, we can create a tailored exercise and pelvic floor plan that supports you throughout your pregnancy. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, this is an essential step to help ensure a smooth recovery after birth.

Follow-Up Assessment (Week 20+)

After your 20-week morphology scan, it’s time to check in with your Pelvic Floor Physio again. This mid-pregnancy appointment helps us monitor how your pelvic floor is holding up as your body continues to change. We’ll also evaluate your overall musculoskeletal health to prevent issues like back, hip, or pelvic pain from developing.

During this session, we’ll explain the pelvic floor’s role in birth preparation, focusing on relaxation techniques if you’re planning a vaginal delivery. We’ll also provide personalised advice on preventing things like prolapse and perineal tearing, address any new aches or pains, and guide you on safe exercises to carry you through the rest of your pregnancy.

Birth Preparation #1 (32-34 Weeks)

At around 32-34 weeks, we start preparing your body and mind for birth. This session covers:

  • Birth Preferences & Intervention Choices: We’ll discuss your birth preferences, focusing on key interventions like forceps, vacuum delivery, episiotomy, epidural, and induction. We’ll help you understand the potential pros and cons of each, from a pelvic floor perspective, so you can make informed decisions. We encourage you to bring in a birth plan/preferences if you have one written down!

  • Active Birthing Positions: We’ll go over a range of active birthing positions that can help open the pelvic cavity and facilitate a smoother delivery. A handout will be provided for easy reference, and we’ll also explore pain management options like using a TENS machine, water, movement, and the birth comb technique. At Peak Flo Physio, we also offer Obstetric TENS machines for hire to help you manage pain during labor.

  • Perineal Massage: We’ll discuss perineal massage techniques, whether you prefer to do it yourself (with a wand or Epino) or involve a partner. We’ll demonstrate the methods and provide a handout for you to take home.

  • Breathwork & Pelvic Mobility: We’ll guide you through belly breathing and pelvic floor relaxation techniques, essential for labor. You’ll receive a demonstration in the session, along with video resources on Physitrack for further practice at home. We’ll also cover pelvic mobility exercises to help prepare your body for birth.

Birth Preparation #2 (34-36+ Weeks)

As your due date approaches, we focus on refining your birth techniques and ensuring your pelvic floor is as prepared as possible:

  • Trans-Perineal Ultrasound: We may use ultrasound to assess your pushing technique and the positioning of your pelvic organs prior to labour. This can help with correcting pushing technique and also help guide postpartum recovery.

  • Pelvic Floor Measurement: We’ll measure your GH and PB to check how your pelvic floor is functioning. If there is tightness, discomfort with perineal massage, or dyssynergia, we may recommend weekly perineal massage or release sessions with ultrasound feedback to help prepare your pelvic floor for birth.

  • Postnatal Rehab Discussion: We’ll go over what to expect postpartum, providing you with a postnatal rehab guide that covers topics like bowel function, healing, and early recovery exercises. We’ll also measure and fit you for SRC recovery shorts or Tubigrip, as needed, to support your postnatal recovery journey.

Postnatal Physiotherapy (3-6 weeks Postpartum)

We recommend all new mums check in with us between 3-6 weeks after birth. During this crucial visit, we’ll assess your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and any scar tissue from a C-section, episiotomy, or perineal tear. These evaluations help ensure your bladder and bowel function is on track, and we’ll provide guidance on safely returning to exercise, as well as intimacy when you're ready.

Start your postnatal recovery right—learn more about our Postnatal Services