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:

  1. Pregnancy aches and pains
  2. 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.

Pregnancy related back pain and pelvic girdle pain 

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

We also offer assessment and treatment for up to six weeks after your baby is born (postnatal) for the following disorders:

When and how to self-refer

At 6 weeks postnatal please call:

Physio Direct voicemail:

0115 9691169 Ext. 77792    

24 hr voicemail

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

  • 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 on the telephone and if necessary, a face-to-face appointment is booked for a physical assessment and discussion of your treatment plan.

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

Antenatal Exercise Class

A physio-led virtual class Thursday 9am

Face to Face class Monday 11am for all abilities

Open to pregnant patients from 20 weeks to full term of pregnancy.

The class will be a combination of aerobic exercise, stretches and pilates .

To register, please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number & DOB on this voicemail:

0115 9691169  EXT 77792

The effects of exercise in pregnancy for the mum to be:

  • help manage blood glucose (sugar) level
  • help prevent common aches and pains in pregnancy
  • improve the fitness of your heart and lungs and reduce risk of high blood pressure
  • reduce excessive weight gain during pregnancy
  • promote feeling of wellbeing and improves sleep
  • make labour shorter and easier
  • be up to a 3 rd less likely to have a caesarean section
  • aid with post natal recovery

The effects of exercise in pregnancy for the baby:

  • reduce the chances of childhood obesity and diabetes in later life
  • have positive effects on babies growth and development by increasing blood flow to the placenta.
  • provide a positive and healthy role model to child/children

Don’t forget to wear suitable clothing and shoes

Have a water bottle to hand

Postnatal Exercise Class

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

Open to all Post Natal Patients from 6 weeks after birth. An exercise programme of 6 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.

To register, please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number & DOB on this voicemail:

0115 9691169 ext. 77792

The effects of exercise for the new mum:

Exercise can…

  • 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

Don’t forget to wear suitable clothing and shoes

Have a water bottle to hand

 

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

Birth Trauma Association for parents traumatised by birth