There is absolutely no doubt that having a baby can place an enormous strain on you both physically and emotionally. While childbirth is a life changing experience, the physical strain it can place on the body sometimes makes recovery a struggle.
After giving birth lots of women experience problems with their back, pelvic floor and much more. If you are finding it difficult to regain full fitness after having your baby, one thing that can help is a mummy MOT.
What is a Mummy MOT?
The mummy MOT was the brainchild of physiotherapist Maria Elliott and is a postnatal assessment designed to look at how you are recovering after having your baby. It focuses on three key areas:
Pelvic floor muscles: These are the muscles that play an important part in bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and core stability. Sometimes pregnancy and childbirth weakens them, when this happens it can result in problems such as incontinence or pelvic pain.
Abdominal muscles: Carrying a baby for nine months will put considerable strain on your abdominal muscles, sometimes causing separation. A Mummy MOT will look at the degree of this separation, and your physiotherapist can then give you a range of exercises to help repair the problem.
Posture: There is no doubt in some cases pregnancy can have a detrimental effect on your posture. The Mummy MOT assessment checks for any imbalances that could cause pain now or in the future, allowing us to take steps to prevent it.
After your MOT is over, your physiotherapist will help to devise you a personal treatment plan which will include an exercise regime tailored to your particular needs. The aim of this is to help aid your recovery and get back to full fitness asap.
What Happens During a Mummy MOT?
Our Mummy MOT’s in Leeds, Harrogate or Ilkley involve an initial consultation with our amazing women’s health physiotherapist, Jamie, followed by a physical examination. Here’s a breakdown:
Consultation: During this, Jamie will talk to you about how your recovery is going, as well as addressing any concerns you may have. For example of you are suffering any pain or experiencing other problems caused by your pregnancy or childbirth.
This is followed by a Physical Examination which involves:
- Visual assessment of your posture and core.
- Abdominal muscle examination to check whether there has been any separation.
- Thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor muscles.
- Screening for any bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
Mummy MOT’s tend to last anything up to an hour dependent on your particular circumstances.
Do You Actually Need a Mummy MOT?
This is really down to the individual and as Mummy MOT’s are not available on the NHS there is a cost associated with them. After your standard 6-8 GP check, you may still feel you need some more help. Alternatively, you may just be looking for reassurance that you are doing everything possible to ensure you avoid any issues later down the line.
It is not uncommon for women to experience physical changes after childbirth that can be addressed by a Mummy MOT. If you are suffering from or experiencing any of the problems listed below, a Mummy MOT could be just what you need.
- You are experiencing any kind of incontinence
- You have pelvic pain, either during sex or otherwise.
- You have noticed a gap in your abdominal muscles
- You are suffering from back pain or other problems relating to your posture.
When Should You Have Your Mummy MOT?
Traditionally, Mummy MOTs are recommended after the standard six-week postnatal check-up with your GP. This allows enough time for initial healing but ensures you address any lingering issues before they become chronic.
However, there’s no hard and fast rule. You can have a Mummy MOT anytime after childbirth, even years later. Your body continues to adapt after delivery, and it’s never too late to address any concerns you might have.
The Main Benefits of a Mummy MOT:
- Improved Physical Health
- Enhanced Confidence
- Better Sex Life
- Emotional Wellbeing
The purpose of a Mummy MOT is to help you prioritise your own well-being. By addressing any lingering concerns you may have after giving birth, you can feel stronger, healthier, and more confident as you navigate motherhood.