As a new mother, taking care of your baby becomes your top priority, leaving little time to focus on your health. However, neglecting your physical well-being can have long-lasting effects on your body. In this blog article, we’ll explore why a Mummy MOT is important for your health and how it can help you regain your strength and confidence.
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Common problems after childbirth and pregnancy
Pregnancy can also lead to abdominal weakness and separation of the abdominal muscles. This can cause back pain, pelvic pain, and even hernias. Bladder and bowel dysfunction is common following childbirth, including problems like incontinence and constipation.
Getting a thorough assessment, such as the Mummy Health Check, is crucial as early intervention simplifies problems and can help prevent long-term pelvic problems.
What is a Mummy MOT?
The Mummy Health Check is a postnatal examination designed to address any pregnancy-related issues that may arise after childbirth. It thoroughly assesses your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and overall posture to ensure your body recovers in the best possible way. The postpartum period is critical for women as they transition from pregnancy to motherhood. Many women experience physical changes and challenges during this time, including postural changes, pelvic floor issues, and abdominal weakness.
These changes can lead to a range of issues, such as bladder and bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, and even chronic pain. As such, women must receive a comprehensive assessment following childbirth to identify any potential issues and develop an effective treatment plan.
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What is included in a Mummy MOT?
Mummy Health Check is designed specifically for identifying and addressing issues around postpartum women’s health. The one-hour assessment includes a postural, pelvic floor, and abdominal assessment. It also includes a bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction screen.
1. Postpartum Recovery
After giving birth, your body undergoes numerous changes, both physically and hormonally. The Mummy Health Check helps assess how well your body is recovering from pregnancy and labor. This includes evaluating muscle tone, posture, and the health of your pelvic floor. The MOT also looks for any lingering issues such as diastasis recti (abdominal separation) or pelvic organ prolapse. A thorough check-up can ensure that any complications are addressed early, helping speed up your recovery and restore function to key areas of your body.
2. Pelvic Floor Health
The pelvic floor undergoes significant strain during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to potential problems like incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and lower back pain. The Mummy MOT includes a detailed assessment of your pelvic floor, with a focus on identifying any dysfunction. Physiotherapists trained in postnatal care can provide exercises and advice to strengthen the pelvic floor, improve bladder control, and prevent long-term issues such as urinary incontinence or pelvic discomfort.
3. Postural Alignment and Back Health
The body undergoes significant postural changes during pregnancy, and those changes can leave lasting effects. After childbirth, many women experience back pain, neck pain, or shoulder tension due to the physical demands of caring for a newborn (e.g., breastfeeding, lifting, carrying). The Mummy MOT assesses your postural alignment and identifies any issues that may be contributing to pain or discomfort. Physiotherapists can then provide personalised exercises and stretches to improve your posture, alleviate pain, and strengthen the muscles that support your spine and pelvis.
4. Diastasis Recti Assessment
Diastasis recti is a common condition where the rectus abdominis muscles (the “six-pack” muscles) separate during pregnancy. This can lead to a weakened core, lower back pain, and reduced abdominal strength. The Mummy MOT includes a specific check for diastasis recti, which allows your physiotherapist to offer targeted rehabilitation exercises that promote healing and restore muscle strength to the abdominal area.
5. Physical and Mental Well-Being
A Mummy Health Check is not only about physical recovery but also about promoting overall well-being. Childbirth is an emotionally and physically demanding experience, and many women experience stress, fatigue, or mental health challenges during the postpartum period. A postnatal check-up provides an opportunity to address any emotional or mental health concerns, ensuring that you feel supported and equipped to thrive during your new journey as a mother. By helping you restore physical health and confidence, the Mummy Health Check also improves your overall mental health and helps you adjust to life after childbirth.
6. Tailored Exercise and Rehab Program
After childbirth, it’s essential to regain strength gradually and safely. The Mummy Health Check provides a personalised recovery plan based on your body’s needs, offering rehabilitative exercises for your pelvic floor, core, and postural muscles. These tailored exercise programs promote healing, prevent injury, and build strength, giving you the tools to regain your pre-pregnancy physical health and beyond.
7. Prevention of Long-Term Health Problems
By addressing physical issues early with a Mummy MOT, you can prevent the development of long-term problems. Conditions like chronic back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, or prolapse can become more difficult to treat if left unchecked. By getting a comprehensive assessment and starting appropriate exercises and treatment early, you reduce the likelihood of these problems affecting your life in the future.
8. Confidence and Empowerment
The Mummy Health Check empowers women by giving them a deeper understanding of their physical health after childbirth. By providing you with a clear action plan and practical advice, it boosts your confidence in your body’s ability to recover and thrive. Feeling physically strong and confident in your own body can significantly enhance your overall quality of life and improve your relationship with both yourself and your newborn.
9. Full report with personalised recommendations
A written report of assessment findings will be provided, highlighting areas of concern and a bespoke rehabilitation plan. This report can be shared with other healthcare providers, such as obstetricians, midwives, or general practitioners, to ensure continuity of care. The program may include lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and exercise recommendations.
10. Follow-up consultation
During the follow-up consultation, you will have a review of the findings from the initial assessment. If you are suitable for the rehab programme, this will be initiated. Exercises will be practised with the practitioner to ensure you do them correctly. You will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns and review how the programme is going during further follow-up appointments.
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Why every new mum should consider a Mummy MOT
Mummy Health Check is part of the National Health System in many European countries. A woman goes through significant changes in her body during pregnancy and the birth of her baby. Many women’s bodies do not return to their anatomically correct positions post-birth. A Mummy Health Check will assess for any issues post-delivery and assist in recovery to get a woman’s body back into a strong and stable position.
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Common Q&A about Mommy MOT
A Mummy MOT is a specialized postnatal health check designed for women who have given birth. It assesses the condition of the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, posture, and overall physical recovery after childbirth. It helps identify issues like pelvic pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), and incontinence.
Any woman who has given birth, whether through vaginal delivery or C-section, can benefit from a Mummy MOT. It’s particularly recommended if you experience pelvic discomfort, back pain, incontinence, or core weakness after childbirth.
You can book a Mummy MOT as early as six weeks postpartum. However, it’s beneficial at any stage after childbirth, even years later, if you are experiencing pelvic or core-related issues.
A Mummy MOT typically includes a thorough assessment of your pelvic floor function, abdominal muscles (to check for separation), posture, and movement. The physiotherapist will also discuss your symptoms and concerns, providing tailored exercises and advice for recovery.
Yes, many women feel fine but may still have underlying issues like weak pelvic floor muscles or diastasis recti that can lead to problems in the future, such as incontinence or back pain. A Mummy MOT helps prevent these issues by addressing them early.
Yes, a Mummy MOT can assess the extent of abdominal separation (diastasis recti) and provide exercises and rehabilitation plans to improve core strength and help the muscles heal.
Yes, the Mummy MOT includes an assessment of the pelvic floor muscles to check for weakness, tightness, or dysfunction. The physiotherapist will provide guidance on pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) to improve strength and function.
A Mummy MOT is not typically painful. It’s a gentle assessment, and the physiotherapist works within your comfort zone. If you feel any discomfort during the session, they will adjust the approach accordingly.
Yes, your physiotherapist will give you a personalized exercise plan based on your assessment. This will help you safely return to fitness and regain strength in your pelvic floor and core muscles.
The number of sessions depends on your individual needs and recovery. Some women may need just one session with follow-up exercises, while others might benefit from a few sessions to monitor progress and adjust their rehabilitation plan.