Bringing your baby into the world is an incredible experience — but it’s also one of the biggest physical events your body will ever go through- from the physical demand of birthing your child(ren) to the hormonal shifts, child birth takes such a significant toll on the body. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section, it’s completely normal to experience changes in strength, mobility, and function afterwards.
At Danielle Malone Physio, we specialise in postnatal physiotherapy, helping you recover safely, rebuild strength, and feel confident in your body again. Every postnatal journey is unique, and with our holistic approach to treating you combined with a solid evidence-base, we aim to empower and support you through this important stage of life.
What Is Postnatal Physiotherapy?
Postnatal physiotherapy (postpartum physiotherapy) focuses on helping women recover physically after childbirth. Pregnancy and delivery can place significant strain on your core, pelvic floor, joints, and posture. Without the right support, issues like incontinence, diastasis recti, or ongoing pelvic pain can linger long after birth.
Our tailored treatment plans are designed to help you:
– Rebuild core and pelvic floor strength
– Improve mobility and posture
– Manage pain and discomfort
– Support safe return to exercise
– Promote long-term pelvic health and wellbeing
Common Postnatal Conditions We Treat
It’s important to remember that while these conditions are common, they are not something you simply have to live with. With the right guidance, recovery is possible.
We commonly support women with:
– Pelvic floor weakness or urinary incontinence
– Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
– Pelvic or lower back pain
– C-section recovery (scar tissue healing, mobility, core activation)
– Pelvic organ prolapse or vaginal heaviness
– Postural tension and headaches (often linked to feeding, lifting, or carrying baby)
What to Expect at Your Postnatal Physio Appointment
Your first appointment will involve a detailed consultation where we discuss your delivery, current symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. From there, we’ll assess your posture, core, pelvic floor, and overall movement to create a treatment plan tailored to you.
Your session will be individualised to your current presentation and needs. there is no formula to how we conduct a Postpartum Physio check. Whatever you would like to prioritise, this can be done. For some this will be a pelvic floor assessment (for more information read our blog here), for others it might be their lower back pain that has been impacting their ability to exercise. There is no right or wrong, and there will always be plenty of time for pelvic floor assessments. One thing I always say, is it is never too late to start Pelvic Floor Rehab. And so your session may include:
– Gentle hands-on treatment for any pain or discomfort
– Pelvic Floor assessment, retraining and Core Strengthening
– Scar management for C-section or perineal scars
– Posture and ergonomics advice for daily tasks such as lifting, feeding etc.
– Safe return to exercise and plans to rebuild strength and capacity
– Education on a safe return to running, gym or other sports as required
The Benefits of Postnatal Physiotherapy
Investing in your recovery can have lasting benefits — both now and in the years ahead. For example, the people who leak with exercise when they are younger, have a higher risk of incontinence when they are older. Unfortunately, incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse symptoms are one of the leading barriers to exercise as we age.
Benefits include:
– Improved pelvic floor and core function
– Reduced risk of long-term incontinence or prolapse
– Relief from back, hip, or pelvic pain
-Faster and safer return to exercise
-Increased energy and confidence in daily life
-A stronger foundation for future pregnancies, if relevant
When Should You Book a Postnatal Physio Appointment?
There’s no set right time to start postnatal physio — it depends on your birth experience and how you feel afterwards. While the Gold Standard recommendation is to have postnatal check with a women’s health physiotherapist at 6 weeks postpartum, after your GP check up, I can wholeheartedly understand why new mums might not be ready at this point.
One thing you will hear me say again and again, is to check in with your women’s health physio when you feel ready. It’s also important to note that if you are suffering with pain and discomfort prior to 6 weeks, this can be assessed and treated earlier. We usually wait until at least 6 weeks to do a full pelvic floor assessment, however if you need help before then, we are here to support you.
Is Postnatal Physio Safe?
Yes — postnatal physiotherapy is completely safe when provided by a trained pelvic health physiotherapist. Every treatment plan is individualised, respecting your stage of recovery and most importantly, your goals.
📍 Pouladuff Road, Cork City, T12XC1Y
🩺 Specialist in Women’s Health Physio Cork
💬 Friendly, holistic, and evidence-based care tailored to you
👉 Book your Postnatal Pelvic Health Appointment today and take the first step towards feeling stronger, more comfortable, and confident in your recovery.
