What is the Mummy MOT?
The Mummy MOT is an assessment for all postnatal mothers no matter how long it has been since you had your baby. It is a specialized postnatal examination for both vaginal and caesarean deliveries performed by a chartered physiotherapist trained in women’s health and certified to perform the Mummy MOT.
All mothers need to bend, squat and lift therefore the assessment will assess your posture, pelvic floor muscles and stomach muscles to see how they have recovered from the birth of the baby. It is recommended that women have an initial Mummy MOT assessment after their six to eight weeks check-up with their GP. However, women who are months or years after giving birth may still have pelvic floor or abdominal muscle related issues and they too can be assessed and treated.
Why is the Mummy MOT so important?
The statistics for problems suffered by mothers postnatally is eye opening. Up to half of all women will experience weakness in both the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles after pregnancy. A third will still have a gap in their stomach muscles at eight weeks post-natal. These conditions do not have to be something you should have to put up with as a result of giving birth. They are all problems that can be addressed and treated with the Mummy MOT which can prevent women developing pelvic pain or bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction.
What happens during the Mummy MOT assessment?
The Mummy MOT is an initial one-hour assessment which includes a full postural screen, assessment of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. You will be assessed to ensure no bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction has developed. Given the findings you will be provided with a bespoke rehabilitation programme with your goals and lifestyle factors in mind.
Over the coming weeks I will be writing about problems in more detail that some women can suffer following the birth of their baby and ways to address these issues.