Having a baby places a great deal of stress on a woman’s body. During a pregnancy a woman’s core muscles become weaker and stretched, posture changes due to altered body mass, and connective tissue becomes more relaxed due to hormonal changes. The birth itself can traumatise the pelvic floor, particularly in the case of a vaginal delivery. Then after a birth, a new mother has to lift a newborn, breastfeed, and change nappies, all the while trying to restore their own body shape, strength and fitness often with interrupted sleep patterns. It isn’t easy and can be very fatiguing, but Sport & Spinal Physiotherapy can help. Sport & Spinal Physio assists women from Gungahlin, Canberra City, and the wider Canberra community with a range of common pre and post natal problems including:

We can help you cope with the demands of motherhood by:

• Improving deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscle strength and control
• Improving muscle strength and tone
• Improving flexibility
• Improving posture
• Assist in developing a newborn’s gross motor development
• Reducing pre and post natal pain
• Reducing incontinence and pelvic floor discomfort
• Improving your abdominal appearance (restore your flat tummy)

Physiotherapy and massage

Physiotherapy and massage are ideal for women experiencing pain or discomfort pre or post childbirth. Our physio can assess your injury, give an accurate diagnosis and direct the most appropriate care to suit your needs. We can use real time ultrasound to ensure you engage the correct muscles to stabilise your spine and pelvis with dynamic core stability training. Your massage therapist can help reduce muscle tightness and pain associated with pregnancy.

Mums & Bubs classes

Get stronger and fitter for your delivery or just get back into life after the birth with our Mums and Bubs classes, supervised by a physiotherapist. The classes involve dynamic core stability training through the use of swiss balls, exercise bands, pressure biofeedback units and mat work to improve your posture and restore your deep abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles and other core muscles. We provide advice on posture, lifting and breastfeeding position. All classes include a FREE initial real time ultrasound scan with one of our physios to make sure you know how to recruit your deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles correctly. Incorrect abdominal exercises and poor technique can actually increase abdominal muscle separation and lower abdominal bulging as well as increase your risk of pelvic floor dysfunction and low back pain. Physiotherapists are the most appropriate health practitioners to ensure you correctly engage your abdominal muscles and with our real time ultrasound we eliminate the guesswork. Class session rebates can be claimed through your private health fund. Referrals are not required from your GP or Obstetrician. Mums and Bubs sessions can be one-on-one or you could organise you and your mother’s group friends to form a class (minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 per class) to reduce the cost and have more fun. Classes are safe to begin 6 weeks after delivery up to the point where your baby starts crawling. The classes run for eight weeks during school terms and each session lasts 40min. The classes are designed for you to bring your baby. You can set your baby up on a mat beside you and include them in some exercises if needed. It is also a good idea to bring a pram, blanket and toys for your baby. Contact Us for more information on Mums and Bubs classes including class times and availability.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can be great therapy during and after pregnancy for improving strength and fitness without placing excessive stress on joints. The buoyancy and warmth of the water is helpful in reducing pain at the lower back, pelvis and abdominal regions, allowing you to exercise with ease. New mothers are safe to begin hydrotherapy 6 weeks after delivery.

Why choose us for your pre and post natal health?

• A rebate applies from most private health funds for Mums & Bubs classes.
• We have a selection of physiotherapy, massage, hydrotherapy and Mums & Bubs classes to suit all mothers.
• We use real time ultrasound to ensure you correctly engage your core muscles
• We provide space and supervision for you to bring your baby along
• We have private enclosed rooms
• Our physiotherapists supervise the Mums and Bubs classes
• We are experienced in pre and post natal care
• We know safe and effective dynamic core stability exercises
• We have female therapists available