Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting (and very special) time of life. And it’s also a time when looking after yourself is vital. A healthy pregnancy involves taking care of both your physical and emotional well-being. This might include a healthy diet, safe exercise, managing stress and high-quality care from trusted health care professionals, including a pelvic health physiotherapist.

Pregnancy is one of the most important times to look after your pelvic floor. We know that with pregnancy and childbirth, there’s a significantly increased risk of pelvic floor problems, especially poor bladder and bowel control and prolapse. But research shows that pelvic floor exercises in pregnancy and the postnatal period prevent bladder leakage and prolapse.

Even if things are going well, though, a pelvic health physiotherapist can help you. We can help look after your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, your spine and posture, and support you to exercise safely in pregnancy and to prepare your body for birth. 

We can also perform an abdominal check to identify a stomach muscle separation and get you started on exercises to keep your abdominals in shape - which will also help to look after your back. Exercise in pregnancy is essential for physical and mental health, reducing your risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and depression and anxiety. Getting expert advice enables you to exercise safely in pregnancy while giving you guidance about any specific modifications your body might need. 

All of this is a lot of information. But if you’re pregnant, chances are you’ll have a bunch more questions to ask. And we can help with that, too.

Expert help at an exceptional time.

Our expert team of postgraduate-qualified pelvic health physiotherapists are here to help you throughout this exceptional time. We understand all about the highs and lows of pregnancy (and the post-partum months), and we’re here to help you. So if you’d like to find out more, please get in touch. At Pelvic Health Matters, you’ll find the expert care and genuine support you need to enjoy a healthy and happy pregnancy.

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We know pelvic floor exercises in pregnancy are essential to reduce your risk of bladder leakage and prolapse.

Common signs & symptoms of pregnancy issues

  • Urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing or exercising
  • Going to the toilet frequently (during the day and overnight)
  • Constipation/straining
  • Feeling of vaginal heaviness or bulge
  • Sexual pain
  • Pelvic girdle pain when rolling in bed, getting out of the car or standing on one leg
  • Back pain
  • Weak or separated stomach muscles
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps, round ligament pain, swollen ankles and difficulty sleeping

Our Proven Pathway for Supporting A Healthy Pregnancy

Discover what matters

You’re assessed as a whole person

To begin, we take the time to understand all of you – not just what’s going on physically. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will collect the following information:

  • QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
  • 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your pregnancy. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pregnancy and pelvic health.
  • THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes a pelvic floor, abdominal, pelvic and lower back joints and muscle examination and questionnaires to understand your thoughts, feelings and environment.
  • CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you and your body, we can explore how it all fits together to help maximise your pregnancy health. This might be understanding how vital a strong pelvic floor is during pregnancy and beyond. Or perhaps we’ll focus on supporting you to continue to enjoy your preferred exercise safely. 
  • SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals, such as:
    • Continue my gym routine, feeling confident it's safe
    • Learn pelvic floor exercises to help prevent post-partum problems 
    • Enjoy my pregnancy, feeling healthy and fit 

Learn more about how we discover what matters >

Restore what matters

You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.

This is where the action happens. Together, we’ll choose the best research-proven treatment options for your lifestyle. You’ll learn how vital your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are and what you can do to look after them.

Next, we’ll start pelvic floor and abdominal muscle training. You’ll learn new skills and connect with hidden muscles that you probably didn’t know you had. You’ll have a special, personalised program based on your needs. We’ll also help improve the strength and endurance of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.

We’ll give you expert advice about looking after your back and pelvis and how to keep exercising in pregnancy with any modifications that are needed to keep you safe. We’ll also address any bladder or bowel problems. And, you’ll be given excellent resources and tools that will help you with your progress. 

ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.

Learn more about how we restore what matters >

Enjoy what matters

You’ll be living your best life.

The final step is about ensuring you achieve all the wonderful goals you set at the beginning of your pregnancy, so you can enjoy this special time feeling healthy and fit. You’ll have all the skills to remain as active and healthy as possible as you progress through your pregnancy –  without having to run back for appointments constantly.

Sometimes, though, life can throw a few surprises your way, so you might want to return for a reset. And, as your baby grows, new challenges might arise. Whatever the case, we’ll always be here to help you.

Read about Mia 32 yrs

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Pelvic Health Matters

New name.
Same exceptional care.

Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.

Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au