Five Signs Your Body Hasn’t Fully Recovered After Childbirth
Recovering after childbirth is different for everyone. Some women feel stronger within weeks, while others notice symptoms months or even years later. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a caesarean birth, it is possible for your body to need more support than you realise.
At PelviCare, we use the Mummy MOT® to assess how your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, posture and movement have recovered after pregnancy and birth.
Here are five signs that your recovery may not yet be complete.
1. There’s Leaking When You Cough, Sneeze or Exercise
A leaky bladder is common after childbirth, but that does not mean you simply have to live with it. Leaking urine when you laugh, run, jump or lift may be a sign of pelvic floor weakness or poor coordination.
A pelvic floor assessment can identify how well your muscles are working and whether they need strengthening, relaxation or more targeted postnatal physiotherapy.
2. Your Tummy Still Feels Weak
If your core feels unstable, your stomach appears domed when you move or you still look pregnant long after giving birth, you may have abdominal separation, also known as diastasis recti.
During a Mummy MOT, we check the strength and function of your abdominal muscles and assess how they work alongside your pelvic floor. We can then create a safe postnatal exercise programme to improve core strength and stability.
3. You Have Ongoing Back or Pelvic Pain
Back pain, pelvic girdle pain, coccyx discomfort and pain around the hips or sacroiliac joints can continue after pregnancy. Feeding, carrying your baby, lifting car seats and disrupted sleep may also place extra strain on your posture.
At PelviCare, we look beyond the painful area and assess your muscle function and daily habits to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.
4. You Feel Heaviness or Pressure Down Below
A feeling of dragging, heaviness or pressure in the vagina may be linked to pelvic organ prolapse or pelvic floor dysfunction. Some women only notice it after walking, standing for long periods or returning to exercise.
These symptoms should not be ignored. A women’s health physiotherapist can assess your pelvic floor and recommend appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.
5. Exercise Does Not Feel Right
You may feel ready to return to running, Pilates or the gym, but your body may not yet be prepared for the demands of impact exercise. Leaking, pain, pressure or a lack of core control are signs that you may benefit from a more gradual return.
How PelviCare Can Support Your Recovery
Our Mummy MOT in Greenwich is a detailed postnatal assessment designed for women at any stage after childbirth. We assess your pelvic floor, tummy muscles, posture and any symptoms affecting your daily life.
From there, we create a personalised recovery plan to help you rebuild strength, return to exercise safely and feel more confident in your body.