Babies and young children are always welcome and we will adapt the session as needed. 

Advice based on the best available evidence, suggests no earlier than 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery and 12 weeks after a c-section (due to nature of significant abdominal surgery). 

Internal pelvic floor examinations are the best way of assessing the pelvic floor muscles and how they are functioning, in addition to checking any presence of prolapse or associated scarring. However, if this is recommended, Sarah will explain in detail about the process and ensure you are fully understand before proceeding.

If you have been referred by a GP, Consultant or another specialist pelvic health physiotherapist then a pessary may be fitted on a first assessment. 

For most women, a thorough initial assessment will be required before fitting a pessary, to ensure that this is the right option, and also to talk through the process and management moving forwards. Vaginal oestrogen may also be needed to prepare the tissues prior to pessary fitting in liaison wit your GP.

Sarah specialised in women's health physiotherapy more than 12 years ago and has undertaken advanced post graduate training in this area. She can assess for pelvic organ prolapse and also advise and fit pessaries to manage this as needed. 

If you are living in pain or discomfort and unsure as to what to do in relation to pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse then pelvic floor physiotherapy can give you the knowledge and confidence to better control these issues.

Pelvic health or women’s health physiotherapists specialise in the treatment of pelvic floor problems. Sarah has specialist training in fitting vaginal pessaries for women suffering from symptoms of vaginal prolapse.

Pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse and pelvic pain can affect women at varying stages of their lives; most commonly during and/or after pregnancy and around menopause, this can be up to 1 in 3 women.

Yes, women's health / pelvic health physiotherapists have specialist skills and training in pelvic pain including vaginismus and vulvodynia. Treatment is varied and involves physical assessment and also understanding how pain affects people differently and individually, making a tailored plan to improve symptoms over time

Pelvic health physiotherapists use digital palpation to directly assess the pelvic floor, grading scores are used to measure risk of vaginal prolapse and muscle strength/co-ordination to best determine treatment options. Real time ultrasound scanning can also be key in examining the pelvic floor, providing moving images from external scanning. This can be really insightful for patients to see how to best contract and relax this vital muscle group during rehabilitation and for future pelvic floor health.

Scar therapy performed by a physiotherapist can be very helpful in the optimal healing of many scars, especially after surgery. Physiotherapists can offer the correct advice in a timely way after surgery with advice on scar care, massage techniques and specific stretches and exercises to optimise scar recovery.

Scar tissue will never be the same as original tissue, that’s just the way our bodies heal. It is likely that we will all have scars of some sort during our lives, some people heal very well and other people benefit from scar therapy to get the best outcome in terms of function and cosmetic appearance.

Yes, specialist pelvic health physiotherapists can assess and treat changes to the tummy/abdominal muscles after birth and prescribe targeted exercises to help improve weakness and build strength as needed. This is with a view to return to exercise and activity over a timely period.