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Postnatal Physiotherapy in Parsons Green and Queen's Park

Postnatal physiotherapy at Beyond Health helps you recover well after having a baby. Our specialist pelvic health physiotherapists assess your pelvic floor, tummy muscles, scars, posture and strength, then build a plan around your goals. Appointments are available at our clinics in Parsons Green, Fulham, and Queen’s Park, north west London.
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What is a postnatal check?

A postnatal check is a one-to-one assessment with a pelvic health physiotherapist that looks at how your body is healing after pregnancy and birth. It covers the areas a routine six-week GP appointment usually does not have time to examine in detail.

Pregnancy and birth place real demands on the pelvic floor, the abdominal wall and the lower back, whether you had a vaginal birth or a caesarean. A check gives you a clear picture of where you are now and what to work on, so you can get back to the things you enjoy with confidence.

You can see one of our pelvic health physiotherapists at any point after birth. The only part of the assessment we wait for is an internal examination, which is not carried out until at least six weeks after birth to allow healing and reduce the risk of infection.

Everything else, including advice on your pelvic floor, tummy muscles, scars, bladder and bowel, and getting back to activity, can start whenever you feel ready.
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What happens at your appointment?

Your first appointment is a relaxed, private conversation followed by a thorough assessment. It typically includes:

  • A chat about your pregnancy, labour, birth and recovery so far, and what you would like to get back to
  • A look at your posture, breathing, movement and overall strength
  • An assessment of your tummy muscles, including checking for any widening down the middle A check of any C-section or perineal scars
  • A pelvic floor assessment, which may include an internal examination from six weeks after birth if you are comfortable with it. This is always optional and only done with your consent

You will leave with a clear explanation of what we found and a personalised plan, including exercises you can start straight away.

Your initial appointment lasts one hour, and follow-up appointments are 30 minutes.
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What can postnatal physiotherapy help with?

Postnatal physiotherapy can support a wide range of common problems after birth. Many are very common, but that does not mean you have to live with them.
Leaking when you cough, sneeze, lift or exercise is often linked to a pelvic floor that needs retraining. For some women this means building strength and endurance. For others, the pelvic floor is tense or not coordinating well and needs to learn to relax first. We assess what your pelvic floor needs and build your programme step by step.
Constipation, straining, difficulty emptying your bowels, urgency, or difficulty controlling wind or bowel movements are common after birth. We can help with pelvic floor retraining, toileting advice and strategies to make bowel habits more comfortable.
Some widening of the tummy muscles is a normal part of pregnancy, and for many women it recovers on its own. If it has not, we can guide you through exercises that aim to restore strength and control through your core
A caesarean is major abdominal surgery, and recovery can take longer than people expect. We help with scar sensitivity, tightness and numbness, and guide you safely back to lifting, carrying and exercise.

Tears and episiotomies can leave scar tissue that feels tight or uncomfortable, including during sex. Gentle hands-on treatment and specific exercises can help the area feel more comfortable and move more freely.

We also support recovery after more severe perineal tears, known as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) or third- and fourth-degree tears. These can affect bowel control, wind control, comfort and confidence. Treatment may include pelvic floor and anal sphincter rehabilitation, scar care and bowel advice, working alongside your obstetric or colorectal team where needed. If you are thinking about another pregnancy, we can also help you understand your recovery and plan ahead.
Discomfort with sex after birth is common. It can be linked to scar tissue, a tense pelvic floor or vaginal dryness, which often happens while breastfeeding because of hormonal changes. We can help you understand what is contributing and build a plan to help you feel more comfortable and confident with intimacy.
A dragging or heavy feeling in the vagina, or ongoing pelvic pain, should always be assessed. We will explain what is happening and put a plan in place to manage your symptoms.
Pelvic girdle pain from pregnancy can continue after birth, and some women develop tailbone (coccyx) pain, especially when sitting. Feeding, lifting car seats and carrying a growing baby also add strain to your back, neck and shoulders, and can cause wrist and thumb pain (often called De Quervain’s or “mummy thumb”). We look at how you move day to day, treat your symptoms and give you practical ways to ease the strain.
Feeding, lifting car seats and carrying a growing baby all add up. We look at how you move day to day and give you practical ways to ease the strain on your back, neck and shoulders.
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Returning to exercise after having a baby

Getting back to running, the gym, classes or sport is a big goal for many of our patients. We assess whether your body is ready for the activity you have in mind*, then take you through your full rehabilitation, from pelvic health physiotherapy to Clinical Pilates and Clinical Strength & Conditioning, so you can get there safely and with confidence.

There is no fixed date for returning to running or high-impact exercise. The right time for you depends on how your body is recovering, including your pelvic floor, tummy muscles and strength, and whether you are breastfeeding. We recommend starting with a postnatal assessment and then take an individualised approach to your return.

After birth, we can support you with Clinical Pilates and Clinical Strength & Conditioning to build on your pelvic health plan, and a biomechanical screening can show how you move.

Treatment is tailored to you, your birth and your goals. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:

  • A personalised pelvic floor programme*, including strengthening, relaxation and coordination**
  • Core and whole-body strengthening, progressed as you recover
  • Hands-on treatment, including scar tissue work
  • Real-time ultrasound to help you see and feel your pelvic floor working
  • Bladder and bowel advice
  • Advice on lifting, feeding positions, sleep and getting back to everyday activity
  • Exercises you can fit around life at home with a new baby

Getting back to running, the gym, classes or sport is a big goal for many of our patients. We assess whether your body is ready for the activity you have in mind and give you a graded plan to get there safely, without guessing.

For a supervised way to rebuild strength, many women move on to our Clinical Pilates sessions once they have completed their postnatal rehab.

Postnatal care is part of our wider pelvic health physiotherapy service, so if anything else comes up during your recovery, the same team can help.

Please contact your GP, midwife or health visitor promptly if you have heavy or increasing bleeding, a fever, a wound that is red, hot, leaking or not healing, severe pain, or worsening bladder or bowel control. We can still see you alongside your medical care.

If you are finding things hard emotionally, or your birth experience was difficult, please also speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor. Support is available, and we can help you find it.
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Who will I see?

You will be seen by one of our specialist pelvic health physiotherapists. Our whole team is trained in postnatal assessment and rehabilitation and works across both of our clinics.

Edel McCann

Clinical Director, Pelvic Health / Specialist Pelvic Health & MSK Physiotherapist

Lauren Wolfe

Physiotherapist / Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Megan Lacey

Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Milly Langley

Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Our clinics

Postnatal appointments are available at both of our London clinics.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral for postnatal physiotherapy?
No. You can book a postnatal assessment with us directly without a referral. If you have private health insurance, check with your provider whether they need a referral for you to claim.
Your initial appointment lasts one hour, and follow-up appointments are 30 minutes. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in easily, as we will look at your posture, movement and strength.
You can come in at any point after birth. If you would like an internal pelvic floor examination, this is carried out from at least six weeks after birth to allow healing and reduce the risk of infection. Everything else can start straight away.
It is never too late. Whether your baby is eight weeks old or eight years old, a postnatal assessment can still help with leaks, a tummy gap, pain or getting back to exercise.
No. An internal examination gives the most detailed picture of how your pelvic floor is working, but it is always your choice and is only carried out from six weeks after birth. We can still assess and treat you without one. You are welcome to bring someone with you, and a chaperone can be arranged with prior notice, just let our team know when you book in.
Yes. Your pelvic floor still carried the weight of pregnancy, and a caesarean adds an abdominal scar and surgical recovery. We assess both and help you return to activity safely.
There is no fixed date for returning to running. Every woman’s pregnancy, birth and recovery are different, and the right time for you depends on factors such as how your pelvic floor, tummy muscles and strength are recovering, whether you are breastfeeding, and whether you have any symptoms such as leaking, heaviness or pain. We recommend starting with a postnatal assessment, then take an individualised approach to guide your full return to running through our pelvic health physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates and Clinical Strength & Conditioning services.
Yes. You are welcome to bring your baby to appointments with our pelvic health physiotherapists, and to feed or settle your baby during your appointment. For clinical exercise and Reformer sessions, babies in prams are very welcome. As there is equipment in the studio, these sessions aren’t suitable for babies who are crawling or walking.
It depends on your symptoms and goals. Some women only need an assessment and a home programme, while others benefit from a short course of treatment. We will talk you through our recommendation at your first appointment.

Get Started

Book your postnatal check

If you have had a baby and want to feel strong, comfortable and confident in your body again, we are here to help. Book your postnatal assessment at our Parsons Green or Queen’s Park clinic today.
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Our Services

From whole-body assessments to specialty services, we take you beyond recovery

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Osteopathy

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Biomechanical Screening

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K Laser Therapy

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