How Physiotherapy can help post C-Section
Caesarean sections are surgical procedures in which a baby is delivered through incisions made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus and around 1 in 4 women in UK have a caesarean birth. It is a safe and commonly performed procedure and will take time to heal and recover. Many layers of the abdomen and uterus are affected and seeing a Physiotherapist to assist your recovery can have many benefits.
There are many layers affected during your C-section procedure:
- Skin
- Subcutaneous tissue
- Rectus abdominis muscle sheath
- Fascia and peritoneum
- Uterine wall
After a c-section birth, allow yourself time to heal and get your strength back. It can take up to 12 weeks to heal after a c-section, and common symptoms may include tenderness and weakness around the area. Your abdominal muscles may feel weak, and you may have changes to your pelvic floor – yes, this can still be affected in c-section births.
The role of Physiotherapy after a C-Section
Following your procedure, seeing a women’s Health Physiotherapist can help to treat your scar with massage and release alongside assessing and treatment pelvic floor issues which are still extremely common after any type of birth. Your physiotherapist is also able to help with any other pain you are experiencing and support you in returning safely back into any exercise, activities or goals you may have.
Booking in for a Mummy MOT with one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists is recommended to assess and treat all these natural changes and help in your post-natal recovery. We will look at:
- Posture
- Breathing
- Assess & treat diastasis rectus abdominis (tummy gap), if necessary
- Treatment for the c-section scar
- Home exercise program, specific to your recovery and goals
What is the Mummy MOT®?
The Mummy MOT® is a specialist postnatal examination for mums after both vaginal and C-section deliveries, no matter how long ago this was.
The Mummy MOT® was created by Maria Elliot to in November 2015, to address the global crisis in postnatal care, helping to provide clinical support, offer a specific diagnosis, and guide mums in regaining strength and fitness after pregnancy and delivery. Our specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapists have been trained to provide The Mummy MOT® at reCentre Health.
The aim of the appointment is to assess your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles and check for any prolapses to see how you are recovering after childbirth. Your specialist physiotherapist will then provide you with treatment and exercises to aid your recovery and return to exercise and fitness. We recommend booking anytime after 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks following a c-section.
- A discussion about your medical history, and an in-depth history of your pregnancy, delivery, and presenting symptoms and/or challenges.
- Assessment of your breathing, posture, balance, movement, and strength. This includes performing a series of basic exercises. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing you can easily move around in. Most of the assessment will be completed in your underwear.
- Checking your tummy to see how your abdominal muscles/tummy gap is healing (Diastasis Recti) and to check for any hernias. If you have had a C-section, your scar will be checked. If time allows, the session may also include some treatment, such as scar tissue massage.
- An internal pelvic examination to check for any pelvic organ prolapse, assess your pelvic floor function and to ensure you can perform your pelvic floor exercises properly.
- At the end of the session, we’ll review our findings and go through the exercises that are appropriate for you. Your home exercise program will then be emailed to you, including videos and instructions, so it’s easy to remember and follow.
When to book an appointment
Following a C-section birth it is recommended you wait until 8 weeks after your birth before booking in an appointment. This is to allow your body to recover and heal before having any treatment. It is also never too late to see a Physiotherapist following childbirth, if you had your baby a year or 5 years ago and are still experiencing any pain or ongoing issues we are here to help!
You can book your Mummy MOT online via our website, follow the link below:
https://recentre-health.co.uk/womens-health-bookings/
