Who Needs an MOT for Mums?
Up to half of all women experience weakness in the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy; up to a third still have a tummy gap at eight weeks post-birth. This can cause instability or poor core strength, developing into pelvic or back pain, bladder/bowel issues, or sexual dysfunction. These conditions are not something you should "put up with". Be proactive. Book a top-to-tail MOT for a mum's assessment.
An accurate diagnosis is key to enabling an effective treatment plan. We use gold-standard physiotherapy practices, including internal vaginal examination, to assess the strength of the pelvic floor. We also use real-time ultrasound equipment to assess the extent of your diastasis recti. We then provide specialist Pilates exercises to aim to safely restore your muscle strength and ‘bridge the gap’ back into exercise.
It’s recommended that women have an MOT for Mums around 4 to 6 weeks after birth, but we also treat women who gave birth years ago that may still have a tummy gap or other related pelvic floor issues; see Pregnancy and Post-Pregnancy Related Problems page.
The MOT for Mums is a top-to-tail appointment that usually includes:
- Pelvic Floor Assessment: A vaginal examination that evaluates muscle tone, strength, and function to prevent or manage incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Abdominal Examination: Measures any gapping or separation in the tummy muscles and evaluates core stability.
- Postural Screen: Identifies muscle imbalances or alignment issues that may cause lower back or pelvic girdle pain.
- Symptom Screening: Checks for any bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction.
- Bespoke Recovery Plan: Provides a tailored rehabilitation program with safe, targeted exercises to aid healing and return to fitness.
Read More on The Mummy MOT website
More information on pregnancy and the trimesters
