Pregnancy MOT in Clapham

A Pregnancy MOT is a full antenatal physiotherapy assessment. It looks at how your body is adapting to pregnancy, picks up any issues early, and gives you a clear plan to stay comfortable, active and confident.

You don’t need to have symptoms to book. NICE guidance encourages women to do pelvic floor muscle training in pregnancy to help prevent problems such as leaking, and a Pregnancy MOT is a good way to check you’re doing it correctly.

A Pregnancy MOT can help if you:

• Are pregnant for the first time and want to feel prepared
• Had a difficult previous birth, a tear or pelvic floor problems
• Have leaking, heaviness or pelvic floor symptoms
• Have pelvic girdle pain, back pain or other aches
• Want advice on staying active or exercising safely
• Have a close family member with pelvic floor problems

Your Pregnancy MOT lasts 60 minutes and takes place in a private, judgement-free room at our Clapham clinic. Olivia will:

• Talk through your pregnancy so far, any previous births, your activity levels and your goals
• Assess your posture, back, pelvis and hips
• Check your tummy muscles for separation (diastasis recti)
• With your consent, carry out a pelvic floor assessment, which may include an internal examination. It’s always optional and fully explained beforehand
• Treat any aches or pains that are bothering you
• Give you a personalised exercise and advice plan to take home

Many women aren’t sure they’re doing pelvic floor exercises correctly. A pelvic floor check lets Olivia see how well your muscles contract and relax, then tailor your exercises to you.

Some women need to build strength, while others, especially those with pelvic pain, need to learn to relax these muscles first. Getting this right in pregnancy can help reduce leaking during pregnancy and after birth.

The NHS recommends around 150 minutes of moderate activity a week during pregnancy, including muscle strengthening. Olivia can help you:

• Adapt your current exercise routine as your bump grows
• Choose safe ways to strengthen your core, back and legs
• Stay active around pelvic girdle pain or back pain
• Know which warning signs mean you should stop and get advice

Your Pregnancy MOT can include practical birth preparation, tailored to your birth plan:

• How to do perineal massage, usually from around 34 weeks
• Breathing and pelvic floor relaxation for labour
• Positions for labour and pushing
• Advice for a planned caesarean section, including early recovery

You can book a Pregnancy MOT at any stage of pregnancy. Booking earlier is ideal if you have symptoms such as pain or leaking, so treatment can start sooner.

If you mainly want birth preparation and perineal massage guidance, the third trimester works well. Some women book both an early check and a follow-up closer to their due date.

Pregnancy and birth change your body, so it’s worth having a check after your baby arrives too. Our Postnatal MOT is a full postnatal assessment of your pelvic floor, tummy and any birth-related injuries, and a plan to help you return to exercise safely.