This requires a 1:1 session with a physiotherapist and is best done in the second trimester, but it’s never too late. If you don’t want or can’t have an internal, we do have real time ultrasound as an option (please specify this at time of booking).

For a manual exam, the therapist will do a digital exam inside your vagina, but we don’t assess your cervix and it’s perfectly safe unless you’ve been instructed otherwise by your health provider. 

We may ask you to tighten the muscles, relax the muscles and mimic ‘pushing’ for birth, and then coach you on anything we feel we can help you with. 

We can also check your abs and address any other issues you may be having. 

The focus here is on fluids, nutrition, rest, support, movement as comfortable, and focussing on you and baby. 

There’s lots of sitting so be mindful of your ergonomics and use supports so you can be relaxed. Try and bring baby to you rather than slouch down to reach baby. Back stretches can be great to unwind the stiffness from all the feeding and holding, and they can also help take pressure off your abs and pelvis that are recovering. 

Pelvic floor exercises are great at this stage to keep circulation and help healing in the perineum. 

Be mindful of how you’re feeling and reach out if you’re feeling anxious, or low. New parent anxiety is kind of normal, and also post partum anxiety and depression occur in 1/5 of new parents and are massively under diagnosed, so talk to your health providers if you’re not feeling great. 

If you have any issues call us and we can do a quick virtual check in to give guidance and save you coming in to the clinic when it’s too soon for you. 

This check can include an internal exam but doesn’t have to. There’s lots we can do in terms of education and postural work that can really help symptoms. We also have our real time ultrasound machine that helps us look at pelvic floor movement from the outside. 

Generally you need 6-8 weeks to heal enough for us to do an internal, so that’s why we suggest this time frame.

If you ned help earlier though, don’t hesitate to reach out for an in person or virtual check in.

Also important to know, if you are still having symptoms at 8 weeks, we know from the research that that’s something that needs addressing rather than something time will heal. So we do encourage to come in around this time if you can. 

We will make a plan with you to address any symptoms you’re having, and strategize how to optimally get you back to any activity / exercise you have as a goal.

Our movement school is an online group series designed to bridge the gap between physio and exercise out in the community. 

Our clinical pilates with a physio support worker is 1:1 addressing any subtle nuance you may need to work on, and can be tailored more towards your goals. This is offered in person in our movement space or as a virtual option.