The Mummy MOT offers integrated postnatal physiotherapy and functional fitness for women from 6 weeks after giving birth. This enables early identification of potential issues in breathing, posture and the pelvic floor that may arise as a result of pregnancy and childbirth

As a physiotherapist I see women of all ages and with all types of postnatal complaints: lower back pain, continence issues of the bowel and bladder (especially when they’re exercising or straining in some other way), headaches, postural pain in the neck and shoulders, pain with intercourse and other sexual dysfunction.

Many of these problems started after they had their children – sometimes weeks, months or years later, but the origin is often issues that arose during and after pregnancy.

Due to laxity in the ligaments needed in pregnancy, joints and muscles don’t have the support they need. Post-partum this can leave a woman with many aches and pains at a time when she needs to be able to lift and carry, push and pull and meet the demands of a new baby as well as the demands of everyday life. A weak pelvic floor due to the strain put on it during pregnancy, stretching of the abdominal wall and sometimes a failure of the ‘tummy gap’ (or DRA – Diastisis Rectus Abdominus) to close properly all leave her at risk of a myriad of difficulties – some short-term and many long-term.

Many mums feel pressure to get ‘back into shape’ and join boot camps, gym classes or go back to running long before their tissues have healed after the trauma of birth and don’t allow themselves time heal before starting an appropriate exercise regime. Even just everyday ‘mummy life’ is very strenuous and mums need educating about how to protect themselves when going about their demanding day-to-day lives.

What is a Mummy MOT?
The Mummy MOT is a specialist post-natal assessment recommended for all women following delivery – whether 6 weeks or many years after. Already part of every new mother’s standard post-natal rehabilitation in France, trained specialists assesses the strength and function of the tummy and pelvic floor muscles to help prevent long-term childbirth related complaints.
What does the Mummy MOT include?
• 1-hour post-natal assessment with a Specialist Post-natal Health Physiotherapist
• In depth check of pelvic floor strength and tummy gap
• Assessment of any physical problems arising from pregnancy and birth
• A bespoke post-natal recovery programme devised especially for you, your lifestyle and fitness goals. This includes specific and safe post-natal exercises to improve stability, posture and core strength

Who needs a Mummy MOT?
After having a baby, half of all women have a weakness in either their tummy or pelvic floor area – over a third suffer with chronic pelvic pain. This creates instability and poor core strength and results in altered transfer load, back pain, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel weakness.
A Mummy MOT helps women avoid these distressing and often embarrassing symptoms. The assessment by a specialist physiotherapist of the tummy gap and pelvic floor will enable the creation of a bespoke post-natal recovery programme plan devised especially for the woman, her lifestyle and fitness goals, including specific and safe post-natal exercises to regain stability and optimum function.

For more information or to book an appointment call Elrina on 07971131585
email elrina@ fleetphysio.com or visit www.mummymot.com
“Oh my god I wish I had done The Mummy MOT 5 years ago ..my back pain has gone and my tummy gap is slowly improving” FS
“Five years after my son’s birth I still couldn’t get rid of my ‘mummy tummy’. The MOT tummy gap exercises have made a real difference – more than anything else I’ve tried.” EM