Physiotherapy for women
at every life stage
pelvic health
concerns
The Mummy Mot
Specialist
During the assessment your posture, breathing pattern, movement and muscle function around the pelvis and hip will be assessed. Your abdominal muscles are checked for a separation or diastasis and for how the core muscles are functioning. Finally, there is an internal vaginal assessment to thoroughly check your pelvic floor muscles. This is nothing to worry about. It is very quick and pain free but enables us to understand whether your pelvic floor muscles are weak or overactive. It also gives you valuable feedback on how to correctly activate and relax the muscles.
Assessment
The Mummy MOT is a specialist postnatal physiotherapy assessment suitable from 6 weeks after birth. It’s designed to check how your body is healing following pregnancy and birth, so we can advise you on safe strategies to return to exercise and function. However, it’s never too late! A Mummy MOT can still be appropriate even if your children are older but you are still experiencing some difficulties.
Advise
Following the assessment, you will receive written feedback of the findings that you can share with other health care or exercise professionals. You will be given bespoke advice and exercises to start immediately. If you require ongoing treatment for any issues identified, options for this will be given.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We see women of any age with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. The most common symptoms are listed in the treatment pages. Women may have had a baby or not and may be before, during or after menopause.
We also treat musculoskeletal issues like back, neck pain and soft tissue injuries
Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. Shorts are helpful and you will often be asked to undress, possibly to underwear if you are comfortable.
If you are bringing your baby, please bring a mat or chair and lots of toys for them.
If your pregnancy is low risk then it is usually very safe and encouraged to exercise. If you are used to a type of exercise, you can usually continue this in pregnancy but it is not normally recommended to start trying a new type of exercise you have not previously tried e.g. running. The rule of thumb is to exercise to a level where you have enough breath to continue a conversation. If you are in any doubt, please speak to your doctor or midwife.
You can start walking and gentle movements safely soon after birth as long as you are not in any pain. It is recommended to wait until 12 weeks postpartum before starting running. It is always recommended that you work with a fitness professional that is experienced in working with postnatal women. The Mummy MOT will give you bespoke advice regarding returning to your chosen exercise and it is often helpful to attend this appointment first.
No! But it is common. Leaking usually indicates that the pelvic floor muscles are not working optimally. This can be fully assessed by a Mummy MOT or women’s health assessment.
The internal vaginal or rectal assessments are not compulsory and we can still find the cause of your symptoms and plan treatment if you are not comfortable undergoing these procedures. They will be fully explained at your appointment and there will be plenty of time to ask questions. You can also choose to delay the internal until your follow up or bring someone with you if that makes you feel more comfortable.
The internal exam gives a physiotherapist valuable information about how the pelvic floor muscles are working, whether they are weak or overactive, allows for thorough assessment of prolapse, perineal scarring and rectal sphincter function.
This is not an exam that uses a speculum like a smear, it is just the physiotherapist’s finger and therefore is usually comfortable and quick.
