The excitement of a positive pregnancy test brings a multitude of decisions and appointments. You’ve planned for your paediatrician, gynaecologist/obstetrician, lactation consultant, and well-baby clinic visits, but have you planned for your six-week women’s health physiotherapist appointment?
WHAT IS A SIX-WEEK WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY APPOINTMENT?
It is a one-hour-long discussion focused on you.
It involves a thorough discussion about your pregnancy, birth experience, and goals. The appointment includes a detailed inquiry into your past medical history, any aches or pains, pelvic health, sleep, sex, feeding, and exercise.
Finally, depending on your symptoms and goals, we will move on to the assessment of:
- Posture
- Movement
- Sore joints or spine
- Breathing
- Diastasis Recti and core strength
- Perineal tear/episiotomy OR c-section scar
- Pelvic floor which includes assessing strength/weakness of the pelvic floor muscle and ligaments, prolapse and pain
- Return to exercise testing
HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM A 6 WEEK GYNAECOLOGICAL/OBSTETRICIAN FOLLOW-UP?
In a short amount of time, your doctor will usually cover the following:
- Screen for Postnatal Depression
- Check if the cervix has closed up
- Discuss birth control and family planning
- Check the healing stitches (either perineal/vaginal or from a c-section)
- Conduct a pap smear if needed
- Advise you when to exercise
You may consider yourself lucky if your doctor checks for the presence of diastasis recti, recommends pelvic floor exercises, or even refers you for a women’s health physiotherapist assessment (if you know of this unicorn, please share details!).
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BOOK IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT?
After your six-week check-up with your obstetrician/gynaecologist, it’s an ideal time to schedule your appointment, although not mandatory. Waiting for this allows your body to naturally undergo its healing process. However, if you’re encountering any concerns that are causing discomfort, we encourage you to reach out and book an appointment sooner. Your well-being is our priority, and we are here to address any changes or issues promptly.
These changes may include the following:
- Bowel changes: constipation, incontinence, haemorrhoids, urgency
- Bladder changes: incontinence, hesitancy, frequency, urgency, retention
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness, visualisation, or a lump or bulge in the vagina
- Perineal Trauma: pain from your tear or episiotomy
- Pelvic girdle, neck, back, or wrist pain
- Eagerness to resume exercise promptly and seeking guidance
In these instances, seeking care sooner rather than later enables us to assess your situation, provide essential education, and equip you with the skills necessary to optimise your recovery. Life’s already tough with a newborn, let’s take the guesswork out of your recovery process.
IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?
Absolutely! Speaking both as a professional and a mum of three!
When it comes to postnatal physiotherapy, the French have got this right. Rééducation Périnéale ensures that all women have access to government-subsidised postnatal physiotherapy. What sets this apart is that it’s not just a one-off service, it continues until you’ve achieved your goals!
Similarly, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines have also highlighted the need for continued postpartum support for mummies, including a visit to a women’s health physiotherapist. How heartening is it that this standard care, during a mum’s tender stage, is given more recognition!
WHAT IF I’M TOO LATE IN BOOKING THIS?
You know what they say, once postnatal, always postnatal!
If you still want to have your “six-week check”, let’s talk!
It’s good to know when things are common vs normal and even better to know that there is hope. Your women’s health physiotherapist is here for you to assess your situation and provide education on what is common, what is normal, and most importantly, the options available to you.
If you feel like you could benefit from specialised guidance and treatment for your postnatal recovery or return to exercise, please call or WhatsApp us at 9780 7274, or email us at help@embracephysio.sg to make an appointment.
Feel free to look through our website, where you can learn about other women’s health conditions we treat. This is a safe space where we can discuss how we can help you with physiotherapy.
Note: While I am a physiotherapist, I am not your personal physiotherapist. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as personal medical advice.
References:
- https://www.embracephysio.sg/what-you-need-to-know-about-diastasis-recti-in-women/
- https://www.embracephysio.sg/what-is-a-perineal-tear-and-episiotomy/
- https://www.embracephysio.sg/what-is-a-womans-pelvic-floor/
- https://obgyn.ucsf.edu/news/what-french-get-so-right-about-taking-care-new-moms
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care
