In the UK, the standard postnatal care pathway is a single 6–8 week GP check, which is often brief and focused primarily on general recovery rather than a detailed assessment of your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and readiness to return to exercise.
A dedicated postnatal physiotherapy check fills that gap — and it’s something we believe every new mum should have, regardless of how straightforward her birth was.
What a Postnatal Check Actually Covers
Unlike a brief GP check, a full postnatal physiotherapy assessment is a dedicated, unhurried appointment covering:
- Pelvic floor assessment — strength, coordination, and any symptoms of leaking, urgency, or heaviness
- Abdominal separation (diastasis recti) check — whether your abdominal muscles have separated during pregnancy, and how well they’re recovering
- Posture and movement screening — how pregnancy and early motherhood (feeding positions, lifting a car seat, carrying a baby) may be affecting your body
- Scar assessment — for caesarean section or perineal tears/episiotomy, if relevant
- A personalised return-to-exercise plan — not a generic “wait six weeks” rule, but a staged plan based on your actual findings
Why 6 Weeks, and Why Every Mum — Not Just Those With Symptoms
Six weeks postpartum is generally when tissue healing has progressed enough for a thorough physical assessment, while still early enough to catch and correct issues before they become established habits or compensations.
And it’s worth having this check even if you feel “fine” — some pelvic floor and core issues have no obvious symptoms early on but can become more noticeable months or years later, particularly as activity levels increase or with subsequent pregnancies.
What Happens If Something Is Found
If your assessment identifies pelvic floor weakness, ongoing abdominal separation, or anything else, you’ll leave with a clear, personalised plan — targeted exercises, practical guidance for daily life with a newborn, and a realistic timeline for progressing back toward exercise, including our physio-led Pilates classes once you’re ready.
What If Everything Checks Out Fine?
Even a completely clear assessment is valuable — you’ll have confidence, backed by a professional clinical check, that you’re ready to safely progress your activity and exercise, rather than guessing or being overly cautious.
New mum in Handforth, Wilmslow or the surrounding area? Book your Postnatal Check from 6 weeks after birth.