Pregnancy Physio
Services
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy and motherhood is vital.
We are here to encourage you to be kind to yourself and support you to feel confident and empowered whilst navigating each season of motherhood.
As Women’s Health Physios we want every woman to feel understood, respected, connected and in control of her body and are on a mission to encourage all women to prioritise their health and wellbeing during this time.
Whatever you’re looking for support with during your pregnancy, book an Initial Women’s Health Assessment with one of our super-experienced team, and we’ll do everything we can to help you.
We believe all women should have the right to comprehensive pre/postnatal care in a nurturing and supportive environment. Whether it is questions around what kind of exercise is best or how to do pelvic floor exercises correctly, we listen empathically and answer individually.
Our Pregnancy Physio Services
Pregnancy causes big changes in a woman’s body, and our Women’s Health Physiotherapy service can help you to manage them. We provide a range of support during the prenatal period that is designed to help you prepare for pregnancy and labour.
Musculoskeletal issues such as back and rib pain, pelvic pain, sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome are common during pregnancy, but can be treated with the support of a specialist physiotherapist. We can also support with your physical preparation for labour, including comfortable positions, relaxation and breathing techniques, massage and TENS.
Our team of Women’s Health Physios can also provide Pelvic Floor exercises and training to prevent and treat continence issues, and can guide you to safely carry out gentle exercise through Pregnancy Pilates.
These are specially designed Pregnancy Physiotherapy assessments from your 12-week scan onwards. They are specifically tailored to your individual goals/needs and may include:
- An assessment of your pelvic floor strength and tips to make sure you are correctly engaging and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles
- Advice on preparation for labour (eg teaching perineal massage, TENS for pain relief) or preparation for c-section
- Advice on safe exercise during pregnancy and modifications to your current exercise routine
- Assessment and treatment of pregnancy related aches and pains such as pelvic girdle pain, low back pain and carpal tunnel symptom
- Advice on pregnancy support garments (eg prenatal support shorts/leggings)
Aimed at promoting optimal posture, flexibility, strength, balance and cardio fitness with a specific focus on abdominal and pelvic floor muscle health, keeping you strong and healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy and birth have a big impact on your pelvic floor and core. This is why we encourage all women to see a physiotherapist and have their abdominal and pelvic floor muscles assessed, so that they can be shown how to safely return to exercise.
Whatever your postnatal goals, our Women’s Health physios are here to hold your hand and support you throughout. We can help you to increase your activity levels or return to sports, and will provide a safe and nurturing environment to help you build your confidence and feel your best self.
This is usually recommended from 6 weeks postpartum and is the perfect time to explore any concerns you might have and develop a plan to help you achieve your goals. These appointments may include:
- A full pelvic floor assessment to include muscle function and strength (we cannot do this any earlier than 6 weeks postpartum due to the risk of infection).
- An assessment of your abdominal muscle function and check for any abdominal muscle separation.
- Education on optimal bladder and bowel habits.
- Assessment and advice around scar healing.
- Develop an individualised exercise plan and guidance for returning to exercise based on your needs and symptoms.
Specially tailored in-clinic Physio-led reformer Pilates classes, where you will be given an individual programme dedicated to your specific post-birth goals.
A prolapse can occur at any time in a woman’s lifetime, the most common being after childbirth. It can be treated by having a Pessary fitted: a silicone-based device that fits into the vagina to support the pelvic organs if they have prolapsed. This service is available at Finchley Road, Fitzrovia and Lindfield.
These discounted packages have been designed to get you back to full fitness, following a natural or c-section birth. They include:
- A postnatal body check with one of our Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapists
- 2 x 30 min follow-up appointments with your Physio
- 6 x Physio-led Pilates classes – specially tailored in-clinic reformer Pilates classes
Our packages work out as 15% off. Please call us for more info on prices at your preferred clinic as costs vary depending on length of class.
Pain during Pregnancy
You may just be feeling a little stiffness or a few aches as a result of a change in posture due to your growing bump, or you may be experiencing more severe pain in pregnancy.
Some women can develop pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP), often referred to as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). The symphysis pubis is a stiff joint connecting the two halves of the pelvis, strengthened by a dense network of tough and flexible ligaments.
During pregnancy the body produces relaxin – a hormone which softens the ligaments to help the baby pass through the pelvis at the time of birth. The increased movement in the pelvic joints can cause inflammation and pain in pregnancy.
Many women complain of pubic bone and lower back pain, which can also radiate to your inside thighs & buttocks, which may be more noticeable when going upstairs or turning over in bed.
Our Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapy team can offer the right advice and treatment, keeping your pain to a minimum and helping avoid long term discomfort.
How To Book
If you are a new to Six Physio and would like to access our Pregnancy Physiotherapy services, please book an Initial Women’s Health Assessment with one of our specialist physios. We offer Women’s Health Physio across all our clinics in London and Lindfield (Sussex).
We are on WhatsApp! Drop our Front of House team a message and we’ll help with any queries.
Give us a call on 020 7036 0286 to speak to one of our physiotherapists and find out more.
Assessment & diagnosis
During an Initial Women’s Health Assessment, you’ll meet one of our Women’s Health experts who will talk to you about how you are feeling during your pregnancy and any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing.
They’ll also want to know about your general health and medical background, to give them a better understanding of how your pregnancy is affecting you and the impact it is having on your body.
Our physios are trained to use real-time ultrasound which allows you both to view your pelvic floor.
An ultrasound assessment is non-invasive and painless and will help you to see how strong and responsive your pelvic floor muscles are. Your physiotherapist will use this assessment to identify suitable treatment techniques, and to see how you are progressing.
Individualised treatment & advice
After your Initial Women’s Health Assessment, your physio will create a treatment plan that is tailored to you and your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Physio treatment could include:
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Progressive pelvic floor muscle re-training using real-time ultrasound, EMG biofeedback & muscle stimulation
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (using Kegal exercises, real-time ultrasound, EMG biofeedback, muscle simulation and cones)
- Pilates
- Personalised advice to increase physical activity levels
- Abdominal retraining for weak distended abdominal muscles
- Manual therapy
- Bladder training
- Acupuncture
Our Women's Health Team
Home Visit Physiotherapist, Men's Health Physio, Pilates Physio, Pregnancy Massage Therapist, Women's Health Physio
Clinic Director, Consultant Physiotherapist, Consultant Women's Health Physio, Pilates Physio
Clinic Director, Consultant Physiotherapist, Men's & Women's Health Physio, Pilates Physio, TMJ Specialist
