Does a physiotherapy perform postnatal physiotherapy?

A postnatal physiotherapist considers how pregnancy, vaginal birth, caesarean birth, feeding positions, sleep disruption, and caring for a baby affect your body. An assessment may cover pelvic floor symptoms, abdominal wall changes, back or pelvic girdle pain, scar sensitivity, posture, breathing, and return to activity. Treatment can include graded movement, pelvic floor coordination, lifting advice, comfort positions, scar care education, and a home programme. The timing and content depend on healing, symptoms, birth details, and your priorities.

Tell the physiotherapist about the type of birth, tears or stitches, caesarean scar, bleeding, pain, bladder or bowel changes, and activities you want to resume. Bring any discharge guidance and wear comfortable clothing. Begin only the activities cleared for your recovery stage, and increase effort gradually. Use positions that reduce strain while feeding or lifting. Mention symptoms such as heaviness, leaking, wound discomfort, or pain during movement so the plan can be adjusted rather than pushed through.

Seek urgent medical advice for heavy bleeding, fever, worsening wound redness or discharge, severe headache with visual changes, chest pain, breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, or severe abdominal pain after birth. Contact your maternity team for concerns about a wound or recovery before a therapy session. Physiotherapy can aid rehabilitation but does not replace assessment of postpartum warning signs.

Ask when assessment is appropriate after your birth, which activities are suitable now, and whether a wound or scar needs review. Ask how to manage pelvic pressure or leakage and when to progress walking, lifting, or exercise.