MUMMY MOT

A full comprehensive postnatal or post abdominal surgery assessment from our midwife Mummy MOT Practitioner (Also available for peri- or postmenopausal women).

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What is a Mummy MOT? 

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A Mummy MOT is a comprehensive specialist assessment for women following both vaginal and caesarean births, women presenting with pre- and post-menopausal concerns and women who have undergone a hysterectomy and any abdominal surgery. Whether you have given birth 6 weeks or 40 years ago our services provide a full assessment of your posture, pelvic floor muscles, stomach muscles, c-section scar (if applicable) and any abdominal surgery. We aim to support you back to full recovery.

Many women present with urinary incontinence following childbirth, abdominal surgery, pre and post menopause and additionally concerns in relation to intimacy.  You will be offered a full core assessment which will identify any muscle weakness or diastasis recti. Any scarring from surgery will also be assessed and a demonstration will be given on how to minimise discomfort and massage your scar in the correct way to reduce raised scar tissue. An internal examination to assess your pelvic floor muscles may also be performed; this isn't essential but is recommended to conduct the assessment thoroughly. Following the assessment findings, you will be provided with a bespoke plan to aid with your rehabilitation and a road map to recovery.

 

This plan includes:

 

FULL ASSESSMENT

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• Full postural screening

• Abdominal muscle examination to assess muscle weakness and muscle separation (diastasis recti).

• Massage techniques for c-section, perineal scaring or any abdominal surgery scars.

• Screening for bladder and bowel dysfunction.

• Pelvic floor assessment including assessment for pelvic organ prolapse (optional)

• Pilates exercise program focusing on building your core muscles from the inside out.

• A written report outlining the findings of your assessment. 

• A rehabilitation plan considering your lifestyle factors and goals in mind. 

• Recommendations for follow up appointments.

 

Bespoke Packages include:

 

Post Caesarean section or Abdominal Surgery recovery package

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Sometimes labour and birth does not result in a vaginal birth and women can find it a challenge recovering from a caesarean section as well as looking after a newborn and potentially older siblings. Additionally post recovery from a hysterectomy and abdominal surgery is equally a challenge for those navigating their pathway back to their normal self. Included in our full assessment is a bespoke programme for those who have undergone abdominal surgery in whatever form. Our fully qualified Mummy MOT practitioner Cheryl will complete a full postural, abdominal, scar tissue and pelvic floor assessments (optional). Cheryl will listen to your concerns and as well as incorporating the full assessment package she will tailor make your appointment to suit your needs and concerns regarding recovery from abdominal surgery.

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Assessment of Scarring from Vaginal Tears or Episiotomy Package

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Sometimes during a vaginal birth, the perineum or vaginal wall can tear, or an episiotomy may have to be performed. Following suturing, some women may become apprehensive about their stitches and additionally may experience some discomfort. There may be a sense of something is not quite right or they may be a fear that the perineum or vaginal wall is not healing. Cheryl will complete a full assessment and will listen to your concerns and offer to inspect your perineum to assess for healing. Additionally, Cheryl can perform an internal examination (optional) to determine the strength of your pelvic floor and ask you to perform pelvic floor exercises which will support with healing. Cheryl will additionally demonstrate perineal and vaginal massage on your scar area to aid with recovery. Diet and exercise will also be discussed here.

 

Returning to Intimacy Package

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The idea of resuming intimacy following childbirth or abdominal surgery can be quite daunting. There is not one size that fits all and we all differ to when we feel the time is right. Post childbirth it is recommended to resume sexual activity 6 weeks postnatal and for a hysterectomy the recommendation is 12 weeks. Bringing a new life into the world can change a woman’s body significantly and as well as being concerned regarding our recovery we also notice the change in our body’s appearance. Likewise to post birth, women who have undergone a hysterectomy may feel physically healed, but on occasion, emotional or psychological factors can influence the decision-making process when resuming intimacy.

Within this package, Cheryl will complete a full assessment, discuss when it is safe to resume sexual intercourse following childbirth or a hysterectomy and give you advice on enhancing your post childbirth or abdominal surgery sexual experiences. She will discuss physical and emotional changes that can act as a barrier to resuming sexual activity and support and guide you to aid in physical and emotional recovery with the aim of a fulfilling intimate re-connections with your partner.

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Assessment Package

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Pelvic organ prolapse can be terrifying for woman. It is defined as when one or more of the organs within the pelvis slips downwards from its normal position and protrudes into or out of the vagina. These can be the uterus (womb), bowel, bladder or the inner wall at the top of your vagina. Although a prolapse is not a life threatening, it can cause discomfort, anxiety and distress for those experiencing it. Symptoms can quite commonly be improved with pelvic floor exercises combined with lifestyle changes, but on occasion medical treatment is required.

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There are several contributory factors which can weaken your pelvic floor and enhance the risk of developing POP.

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Risks include:

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• Pregnancy and childbirth – particularly if you have had a long labour or difficult birth, or if you have had a large baby or multiple births.

 

• Advancing age (peri or post menopause).

 

• Elevated Body Mass Index.

 

• Constipation that causes you to strain when passing stools.

 

• Undergoing a hysterectomy.

 

• Prolonged heavy lifting.

 

Cheryl will complete a full assessment and will listen to your concerns and offer to inspect your perineum to assess for external pelvic organ prolapse. If no prolapse is identified, Cheryl can additionally offer an internal examination to determine if there is any prolapse within the vagina. The strength of your pelvic floor will also be assessed within this examination. Findings of the examination will be discussed with you and a bespoke programme to aid with recovery implemented. If the assessment highlights that potential surgery may be required, then a referral will be made to the relevant practitioner. Diet and exercise will also be discussed here.

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Diastasis Recti Package

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Diastasis Recti is defined as the separation of the abdominal muscles to approximately 2.5cm during pregnancy or following childbirth. It usually requires special exercises to repair this and close the separation.

Cheryl will complete a full assessment to ascertain if diastasis recti is present and will schedule a bespoke program to aid with rectifying the separation of the abdominal muscles and also to strengthen these.

 

Birth Trauma Discussion Package

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The impact of birth is not just a physical occurrence. Some will face challenges with regards to their emotional well-being. This can be quite normal following childbirth due to bodily changes, wanting to get your body back into shape and additionally the pressures of looking after a newborn and questioning whether you are caring for your baby in the correct way. In addition to this some parents try to piece together their birth events and may have questions regarding the practical elements of their labour and birth. This may not only be for a time period following the birth of your baby but can impact parents in the years to follow.

Cheryl has a vast amount of experience in birth listening services and can help you and your partner piece together the events of the care that has been provided throughout your labour and birth. If you have recently had a baby or you are still impacted some years later then please do book with Cheryl.

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Returning to Physical Activity Package

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If your pregnancy was healthy and you birthed your baby vaginally without assistance, then you should be able to start exercising quite soon following your baby’s birth or whenever you feel ready. However, this would be very mild exercise performing your pelvic floor exercises which aid in tightening the vaginal muscles that have become lax due to childbirth. If you underwent a caesarean birth or complications, then you can also practice your pelvic floor, but it is recommended that any other physical exercise is practised following your 6-week General Practitioner appointment.

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Our Mummy MOT practitioner Cheryl will make a full assessment and provide you with a bespoke program to suit your needs. This will strengthen your core muscles, building your strength from inside out. Research indicates that strengthening your pelvic floor, glutes and abdominal muscles reduces complaints such as incontinence.

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The Mummy MOT ethos is to help you to Reconnect with your body, to Realign your body, to Rebuild your body and to Restore you into your pre-pregnancy state.

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Pilates Recommendations for your Stage of Recovery Package

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Pilates is a comfortable and safe way to introduce movement, improve your posture and gain strength following the birth of your baby. Its main focus is to improve the function of your core muscles which may have been affected due to carrying and birthing your baby.

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Cheryl our Mummy MOT practitioner will demonstrate and watch you perform your Pilates exercises and give you a bespoke program to aid with strengthening of your core muscles. There are additional packages for more advanced strengthening exercises, but these will follow the initial package of the lighter exercises. It is important that we build our strength from the inside out as strengthening the outer muscles and not focusing on the core muscles can still leave women with a lax pelvic floor and incontinence concerns.

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Cheryl is a midwife with over 23 years’ experience caring for women and their babies. She is passionate about women's health and supporting women with their recovery post birth, post hysterectomy or abdominal surgery and supporting those experiencing peri or post-menopausal symptoms. Cheryl’s skills and knowledge base are exceptional. She is warm, compassionate and caring and will ensure that you come away feeling empowered with the knowledge base to navigate yourself back to full recovery.

 

Cheryl conducts the Mummy MOT assessments at her clinics in both Rugby and Kettering and can also conduct these in the comfort of your home (small extra charge for home visits). Her aim is for you to leave feeling confident in your rehabilitation and recovery.

 

​If you are in the early days of postnatal recovery, please feel free to bring your baby along with you. We have a playmat, baby bouncer and toys to keep them entertained during your assessment. 

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Pricing 

Initial Assessment 

1.15 hr appointment - £95 

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Follow up appointments

45 minutes - £55

60 minutes - £65