Pregnancy & Post Natal Care: what it is and how we help

Pregnancy and postnatal care at a glance

Pregnancy changes posture, joint laxity and weight distribution, so back pain, pelvic pain and fatigue are common. After birth, recovery of the pelvic floor, tummy muscles and energy takes months, not weeks. Safe, pregnancy-appropriate care alongside your midwife can keep you moving and comfortable through each stage.

Common problems in and after pregnancy

• Pelvic girdle pain and symphysis pubis dysfunction
• Lower back pain and sciatica-like leg pain
• Carpal tunnel symptoms in the hands
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Nausea, poor sleep and fatigue
• After birth: tummy muscle separation, weak pelvic floor, neck and shoulder strain from feeding

How are these usually managed?

Your midwife and GP lead your maternity care. Physiotherapy is recommended for pelvic girdle pain, and pelvic floor exercises are advised for everyone during and after pregnancy. Most symptoms improve after birth, but some need targeted rehabilitation.

How we help in Chiswick

• Physiotherapy: assessment and exercise for pelvic girdle pain, back pain and postnatal recovery. See our guide to pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy.
• Acupuncture: used by some women for pregnancy nausea and pelvic or back pain, with adapted points for safety.
• Manual lymphatic drainage: gentle support for swelling, after checking with your midwife.
• Yoga: adapted movement and breathing.
• Home visits: postnatal physiotherapy at home within five miles of the clinic.

What does the evidence say?

Exercise during pregnancy is safe for most women and reduces back pain. Acupuncture has some evidence for pelvic and back pain in pregnancy. Pelvic floor training reduces leakage during and after pregnancy.

Is it safe to have treatment during pregnancy?

Many treatments are safe in pregnancy when delivered by practitioners trained to adapt them. Physiotherapy and pregnancy-adapted acupuncture avoid certain points and positions, and some treatments, such as red light therapy over the abdomen, are not used. Always tell us how many weeks pregnant you are and about any complications, and let your midwife know about any treatment you are having.

What is diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti is a separation of the two strips of tummy muscle along the midline, which is normal in late pregnancy. For many women it narrows naturally in the first eight weeks after birth. If a gap or bulge persists, or you have back pain or feel weak through the middle, a physiotherapist can guide progressive core exercises.

When can I exercise after giving birth?

Gentle walking, pelvic floor exercises and breathing can usually start in the first days after an uncomplicated birth. Low-impact exercise can then build up after your six to eight week postnatal check, and many guidelines suggest waiting until around twelve weeks before running, longer after a caesarean. Leaking, heaviness or pain are signs to slow down and get assessed.

What to expect at Omnia

Your appointment covers your pregnancy or birth, symptoms and goals, followed by a gentle assessment adapted to your stage. You receive clear exercises and practical advice for sleep, lifting and caring for a baby. Postnatal sessions can include a check of the tummy muscles and advice on pelvic floor recovery, with home visits available nearby if getting out is difficult.

What you can do at home

• Do pelvic floor exercises daily
• Keep knees together when getting in and out of bed or a car
• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees
• Return to exercise gradually after birth, starting with walking

Omnia Lifestyle, 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, Chiswick W4, two minutes from Turnham Green. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.