SPECIALTY CLINICS
BUMP TO BABY
In a relatively short period of time the female body under takes a significant physical and hormonal change and the impact to the body from pregnancy and birth is too often underestimated.
Our goals are to work with women from pregnancy through to 12 months postnatal, based on the evidence, industry guidelines, clinical experience, the needs of the individual woman’s body and her desires. We don’t subscribe to a ‘one size fits all approach’ and we don’t scare women into stopping things they love.
Changes to the body
The physical changes that occur in the pregnancy and postnatal period are some of the biggest changes, if not the biggest change the body will ever undertake. This includes postural changes due to forward movement of the center of gravity, softening of the connective tissue in the pelvis, widening of the rib cage, lengthening of the abdominal muscles, a softening of the pelvic floor, descent and compression of the digestive and pelvic organs and reduced tone in the blood vessels. This is not to mention the changes that occur to the body during birth whether it be a vaginal delivery or cesarean.
The changes that occur affect every system in the body, so it’s no wonder that the body starts to feel different, with new areas of pain or discomfort commencing such as back pain, pubic bone and pelvic girdle pain, hips pain, ribs pain, wrist pain and other symptoms such as incontinence, vaginal heaviness or painful intercourse common.
Exercise in the pregnancy and postnatal period
Many women also often find that the exercise they have always done and loved doesn’t feel great on their body, and as there is a lot of poor-quality information in the media surrounding exercise women either simply stop exercising out of fear or ignore the confusing information available and push their bodies too hard too early, especially in the post-natal period. Both of which we do not want!
The good news is that our bump to baby clinic is here to help as there is so much that can be done in pregnancy or post-natal period to help treat areas of pain or discomfort, or better still prevent issues arising.
Our Bump to baby clinic
You don’t have to have anything wrong with you to attend our bump to baby clinic, in fact as medicine is moving towards preventative care we would rather see you before you have a problem so we can work together to keep it that way.
We are here to help you navigate this adventure called mother hood and the impact it has on your body, whether we see you in pregnancy or in the postnatal period we will assess and treat your individual body and provide recommendation to optimise your body for the long term.
PREGNANCY CARE
Pregnancy musculoskeletal assessment and treatment of pelvic girdle pain, rib dysfunctions, low back and neck pain
Pelvic floor assessment to teach correct pelvic floor activation
Screening and treatment of high tone (tight) regions in the pelvic floor that may impact birth
Exercise prescription specific to the pregnant body
Education and discussions surrounding labour positions, birth choices and early post-natal recovery
Hiring of TENS device for labour pain modulation
POSTNATAL CARE
Early postnatal RTUS assessment of pelvic floor function and abdominal wall activation
Assessment and treatment of abdominal muscle separation
Specific Pelvic floor rehabilitation program
Treatment of back pain, pelvic girdle pain, neck pain, rib pain, wrist conditions.
Scar release
Postural, feeding and baby carrier ergonomic assessments
Mastitis and blocked ducts
Treatment of pelvic floor related conditions such as incontinence, prolapse, painful intercourse, anal sphincter tears, episiotomy recovery
Return to exercise guidance