Physiotherapy Maternity

Physiotherapy - Maternity

At Nottingham University Hospitals, we have a dedicated, team of physiotherapists available to support you in pregnancy and beyond. We provide education classes, exercise classes and one to one clinic appointments at city or QMC hospitals.

For further details of our physio-led parent education classes and our antenatal or postnatal exercise classes please see drop down boxes below. These classes are open to all pregnant women and birthing people. For the exercise classes women and new mothers are screened prior to booking for health and safety criteria.

We provide physiotherapy care on all of the maternity and labour suite wards and one to one physiotherapy clinic appointments at city and QMC hospital.

NUH perinatal pelvic health physiotherapy includes two main pathways of care:

Pregnancy aches and pains
Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction

See each drop down box below for further information and for details on how to self-refer.

Pregnancy aches and pains

We offer assessment and treatment during your pregnancy (antenatal) and for the first 6 weeks after the birth of your baby for pregnancy and birth related musculoskeletal aches and pains. The webpages, videos and leaflets below will help you to understand more about them and provide some information on how to improve the symptoms.

Back and Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy (English)

Posture and Positioning (English)

Pelvic floor exercises can help with back and pelvic pain

Pelvic Girdle Pain and other common conditions in pregnancy

For further information on other musculoskeletal symptoms in pregnancy:

Other Musculoskeletal Symptoms | POGP

Exercises and advice to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy

When and how to self-refer to pelvic health physiotherapy

Once you are 12 weeks pregnant and have had your dating scan, up until 6 weeks postnatal please call the

Physio Direct voicemail:

0115 9691169 Ext. 77792 24 hr voicemail

This is an answerphone service so please leave a message, including your:

telephone number
name,
date of birth,
NHS number,
a brief description of your problem/question

We will get back to you as soon as we can.

We offer an initial triage assessment and if necessary, a face-to-face appointment is booked for either a group session or individual 1 to 1 session for a physical assessment and discussion of your treatment plan. It may be a combination of both dependent on your needs.

Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction

Postnatal Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

We offer an initial triage assessment between 6 weeks and 12 weeks after birth for bladder, bowel or vagina symptoms. The webpages, leaflets and the videos below will help you understand more about your symptoms:

For further information:

Bladder and Bowel Incontinence | POGP

Bladder and vaginal problem during or after pregnancy

After birth, week one, bladder care

Essential advice and exercises following childbirth

Don’t ignore your pelvic floor

A co-existing condition to be aware of after birth

When and how to self-refer to postnatal pelvic floor physiotherapy

If you have given birth at NUH or under the care of the NUH homebirth team, please self-refer between 6 – 12 weeks postnatal, please call the

Physio Direct voicemail:

0115 9691169 Ext. 77792 24 hr voicemail

This is an answerphone service so please leave a message, including your:

telephone number,
name,
date of birth,
NHS number,
a brief description of your problem/question

We offer an initial triage assessment using a questionnaire, usually sent as a text message via DrDoctor. You will be given appropriate care which could be one or a combination of:

resources/videos,
group appointment or
an individual 1:1 appointment.

Please note for any urgent care between 0-6 weeks postnatal for bladder, bowel, vagina symptoms or wound healing issues contact your community midwife or maternity advice line or your GP.

Please note for antenatal pelvic floor physiotherapy

During your pregnancy, we provide a physio led parent education class called Looking After Yourself in Pregnancy and Beyond. Please contact the parent education team to book your place, find the details here: Parent Education Classes | NUH

Parent Education Classes

We offer both virtual and face to face education classes and you can access details to book your place here - Parent Education Classes

Please read and watch the videos of the Maternity Physiotherapy website prior to attending the class to help you maximise your time with the physiotherapist. Please use the time to ask questions on what you have read.

The class content is predominantly covering information on pelvic floor dysfunction during or after pregnancy. For in depth information on pregnancy aches and pains please watch the Pregnancy aches and pains advice video below.

If you cannot attend any of the physio-led classes, please watch the series of videos below. These were developed by NHS physiotherapists and healthcare professionals. They will provide information and useful advice about the changes of your body before, during and after childbirth. From pelvic floor health and bladder care, to posture and returning to exercise.

Pelvic Health and Wellbeing during Pregnancy videos

To view subtitles in other languages, see the dropdown section: Support in Other Languages.

Antenatal Exercise Class

A physio-led:

VIRTUAL class Thursday 9am or

IN PERSON class Monday 11am

Open to all NUH pregnant patients after the foetal anomaly scan and for all abilities.

Advice and Guidance for exercise

Advice & Guidance for Exercise in the Childbearing Years | POGP

The effects of exercise in pregnancy for the mother to be are:

helps manage blood glucose (sugar) level
helps prevent common aches and pains in pregnancy
improves the fitness of your heart and lungs and reduce risk of high blood pressure
reduces excessive weight gain during pregnancy
promotes feeling of wellbeing and improves sleep
helps make labour shorter and easier
aids with post-natal recovery

The effects of exercise in pregnancy for the baby are:

reduces the chances of childhood obesity and diabetes in later life
has positive effects on baby’s growth and development by increasing blood flow to the placenta
provides a positive and healthy role model to other children

Don’t forget to wear suitable clothing, footwear and have a water bottle to hand.

Physical activity for pregnant women

When and how to self-refer to the antenatal exercise classes

Open to NUH pregnant patients after you have had your foetal anomaly scan (around 20 weeks).

To register your interest, please leave a voicemail on the Physio Direct voicemail:

0115 9691169 Ext. 77792

Please leave a voicemail, including your

telephone number,
name
date of birth
NHS number,
mention your interest in the antenatal exercise class

We offer an initial triage assessment using a health questionnaire, usually sent as a text message via the DrDoctor patient platform for self-completion or by telephone.

Postnatal Exercise Class

A physio-led: VIRTUAL class Thursday 10:30am for all abilities.

Open to all NUH postnatal patients from 6 weeks after birth.

This is a series of 6 exercise sessions designed for busy mums to complete in the comfort of their own home. The class will be a combination of aerobic exercise, strength exercises, stretches, Pilates, pelvic floor exercises and post-natal education.

The effects of exercise for the new mum are:

help manage blood glucose (sugar) level
help prevent common aches and pains
improve the fitness of your heart and lungs and reduce risk of high blood pressure
promote feeling of wellbeing and improves sleep aid with post-natal recovery
weight management
aids with post-natal recovery

Don’t forget to wear suitable clothing, footwear and have a water bottle to hand.

Information on helping your stomach muscles recover after birth

10. After Birth: Your Stomach Muscles

Advice and Guidance for postnatal recovery

11. After Birth: Return to Exercise (English)

UK Chief Medical Officer’s Infographic

Physical activity for women after childbirth (birth to 12 months)

When and how to self-refer to the postnatal exercise classes

Open to all NUH postnatal patients from 6 weeks after birth.

To register your interest, please leave a voicemail on the Physio Direct voicemail:

0115 9691169 ext. 77792

Please leave a voicemail, including your:

telephone number
name
date of birth,
NHS number
Menton your interest in the postnatal exercise class

We offer an initial triage assessment using a health questionnaire, usually sent as a text message via the DrDoctor patient platform for self-completion or by telephone.

Pelvis after Pregnancy

We work closely with our urogynae colleagues in PAP clinic, see their webpage here Pelvis after pregnancy (PAP) | NUH

Emotional support

We have produced a range of/some self-help leaflets with advice and information on exercises you can do at home.

This series of videos, developed by NHS physiotherapists and healthcare professionals, will provide information and useful advice about the changes of the body before, during and after childbirth. From pelvic floor health and bladder care, to posture and returning to exercise.

Pelvic Health and Wellbeing during Pregnancy videos

Our online information gives trustworthy advice to help you with any changes or conditions. It will also provide information about when, where and why to seek help if anything worries you or does not get better.

Emotional support

MASIC for mothers who have suffered severe injuries during childbirth known as OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries)

Birth Trauma Association for parents traumatised by birth

Supporting Your Bladder & Bowel Health | Bladder & Bowel Community for people living with conditions that affect their bladder or bowel