Empowering you to reclaim your body after childbirth so you can do the activities you enjoy with absolute confidence.
If you are looking at this page, it is likely that you will feel (or know) that something is not quite right with your body post birth or you might be seeking some reassurance that your body is returning to normal.
Too often, the conditions that women like you come to see us about are not talked about and are often accepted as ‘normal’ after having a baby.
The good news is that with our Mummy MOT and supporting range of post-natal services, it doesn’t have to be like this, and you will soon be able to reclaim your body.
Incontinence
Incontinence is a problem that can be experienced by women at different times in their lives. Find out more about this common condition.
Women’s health appointment
Our post-natal physiotherapy service is for the treatment of specific conditions.
Jenny Deeming is qualified to:
- Address tummy gaps (diastasis recti) and any concerns you have about this condition
- Improve your pelvic floor strength so as to prevent incontinence now or in the future
- Investigate and treat urge incontinence which is the need to get to the toilet quickly
- Improve prolapse or feelings of heaviness / dragging
- Improve posture, back pain and core strength
- Enable a return to exercise at all levels
It doesn’t matter if you do not have a diagnosis for your condition as Jenny will carry out a full assessment.
Your first women’s health appointment - what to expect
At your first appointment, Jenny will carry out a thorough assessment which includes an internal examination where appropriate.
The assessment will hone in on your specific problem area and the factors contributing to it.
You might be asked to keep a three-day bladder diary to record the amount of fluid entering and leaving your body. This information will help Jenny to explore any possible urinary dysfunction problems.
The findings of your assessment will enable Jenny to provide you with a tailored treatment plan. It might include a personalised muscle-strengthening programme, techniques to improve bladder urgency and incontinence and postural adaptations. It will definitely include plenty of advice and lots of reassurance!
Follow-up appointments
For the treatment of specific conditions, it is likely to take 3-6 months before you no longer need one to one sessions.
At your follow-up appointments, Jenny will check your progress, review your exercise technique and answer any questions you may have. She will also show you how to progress your exercise programme to the next level.
Cost of treatment
The initial assessment costs £89 and follow-up appointments are £63. A Mummy MOT is £116.
How to book
Book online or contact us to make an appointment for a Mummy MOT or an initial assessment with Jenny.
Looking after you
Our commitment to you does not end with your last appointment. We provide ongoing support which includes specialist Pilates classes, knowledge sharing, information events and opportunities to meet others who are in a similar situation to you. Sign up for our newsletter so you can keep up to date with what is happening or see our latest edition.
Frequently asked questions
I’ve been told I have a diastasis recti. What is this and will it go away?
There are two long muscles called rectus abdominus that run down the front of your tummy on either side of your belly button. During pregnancy these muscles pull apart as your tummy gets bigger and this is totally normal. After giving birth they will come back together slowly. If after eight weeks the gap between these muscles is more than two fingers in width it is called a diastasis recti. At this point it is worth seeing a women’s health physio as they will be able to advise on specific core strengthening muscle exercises to help draw the rectus abdominus muscles back together. Plank and sit up exercises are NOT advised at this stage as it can cause ‘doming’ in between the rectus abdominus muscles and hinder the progress of diastasis recti recovery. Some people improve to a certain point but will still have a diastasis recti, however as long as your core muscles are strong enough to prevent ‘doming’ this should not be a problem.
Why do I have back pain after giving birth?
Back pain post birth is extremely common and can be due to a number of factors. Regaining strength and core control in your tummy muscles will help to take tension off your back, whether you had a vaginal or C-section delivery. Posture is important and so ensuring you are in an optimal position when feeding / lifting and carrying your baby will help how you load through your back. The changes to your posture during pregnancy can often lead to muscle tightness through your back muscles and addressing this with some simple stretches can help. A women’s health physio can help assess your individual needs and set a treatment plan in place.
Why isn’t my tummy improving in tone and strength despite doing exercise?
The type of exercise you do is key to improving tummy tone and strength. If you have a diastasis recti (a gap in the tummy muscles) you will need specific exercises provided by a women’s health physiotherapist as common core exercises such as a ‘plank’ or sit ups may be detrimental to achieving a flatter tummy. By working on your deep abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles you are effectively building the foundations of your ‘house’. Without doing this you will struggle to strengthen and tone the bigger superficial tummy muscles.
Please get in touch if Jenny, our women’s health physiotherapist can help answer your question.
