Mummy MOT Service
Up to 50% of women experience problems with their abdominal and pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy, but many women tolerate these problems as they are too embarrassed to seek help or simply don’t know that there are services available to help.
Here at Body Mechanix we have a number of experienced 'Mummy MOT' practitioners that offer comprehensive post natal assessments.
The 'Mummy MOT' is a specialist postnatal examination designed for women who have given birth – and we must stress, NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO! The assessment is performed by a specialist women’s health practitioner. It will begin with a detailed discussion about your pregnancy journey, followed by a thorough examination of both your abdominal muscles and your posture, as well as your pelvic floor and your respiratory function. There may be a requirement for an internal examination, however you can refuse this if you feel uncomfortable and it will be discussed with you in detail if it is required.
The first assessment takes around 1 hour and can be carried out as early as 6-8 weeks after giving birth, (usually after your 6-8 week check with your GP). Some women come for the Mummy MOT just to make sure that everything is working well but the initial assessment can be followed up with a personalised treatment programme of pelvic floor rehabilitation if pelvic health problems are identified.
The Mummy MOT may identify areas of weakness, tightness or dysfunction. Your personal postnatal programme will depend on the outcome of your initial assessment and your personal, lifestyle and fitness goals, but may include pelvic floor strengthening exercises, breathing exercises, strengthening of the tummy muscles and staged functional exercises.
Your practitioner will design a bespoke, thoughtful and realistic treatment plan to get you pain free and confident in your post natal body.
Who should get a Mummy MOT?
Mums of all ages!
Common reasons for a Mummy MOT often include:
- General post-natal MOT for pelvic health
- Women developing pelvic pain
- Joint pains (common examples include knee/hip/pelvic or back pain)
- Spinal Pain during/after pregnancy
- To discuss strength exercises for incontinence (including stress incontinence) problems, bladder and bowel incontinence, pelvic floor strength and related pelvic floor issues
- Vaginal or Pelvic organ prolapse
- Sexual concerns/pain with intercourse
- Diastasis separation checks/rehabilitation of stomach muscles (tummy gap assessment)
- Return to exercise queries
- C-Section Scar management