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Who pregnancy and post-natal physiotherapy is for - and how it helps

Pregnancy and post-natal physiotherapy supports people at any stage of pregnancy or recovery after birth, including if you are:
Experiencing back, pelvic or hip pain during pregnancy
Returning to exercise, running or the gym after having a baby
Managing pelvic floor concerns such as leakage or heaviness
Experiencing abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
Recovering from a vaginal birth or caesarean section
Looking for guidance on safe movement during pregnancy
Our physiotherapists assess how your body is adapting to pregnancy and recovery. From there, we create a plan to support strength, comfort and confidence as your body changes. Whether you're dealing with pain, pelvic floor concerns or simply want guidance through recovery, we're here to help.

How physiotherapy supports pregnancy and post-natal recovery

Pregnancy places extra load on muscles, joints and the pelvic floor. Physiotherapy helps support your body through these changes and reduce strain.

Your physiotherapist may help you:

  • Manage pregnancy-related back, pelvic and hip pain
  • Strengthen pelvic floor and core muscles
  • Support recovery after vaginal birth or caesarean section
  • Improve posture and movement patterns
  • Return safely to exercise and physical activity
  • Reduce risk of long-term pelvic floor issues

Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation services focus on gradual, practical recovery that fits into real life.

What we assess and treat

Your physiotherapist will assess how your body is moving during pregnancy and how you are recovering following pregnancy or birth.

What we assess

Pelvic floor strength and coordination
Core muscle function
Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
Posture and movement patterns
Hip, back and pelvic joint mobility
Strength and stability during functional movements

Common concerns we support

Pelvic girdle pain
Lower back pain during pregnancy
Pelvic floor weakness or dysfunction
Abdominal separation
Pain during movement or exercise
Post-birth recovery and return to activity
You’ll leave with a clear recovery plan tailored to your stage of pregnancy or post-natal recovery.

Treatments and rehabilitation support

Your plan may include a combination of education, exercise and hands-on treatment.
Treatments we may use

Manual therapy and massage
Relieve muscle tension and support movement.

Exercise-based rehabilitation
Targeted strength and stability work for core and pelvic floor recovery.

Movement retraining
Guidance on posture, lifting, carrying and daily movements.

Hydrotherapy
Low-impact exercise to rebuild strength and confidence.

Rehabilitation support

We can support with:

Core and abdominal strengthening

Pelvic floor rehabilitation programmes

Movement retraining for everyday activities, and strategies to reduce injury risk

Safe return to walking, gym training and exercise

Fees and ACC

Physio care is covered by ACC for certain maternal birth injuries sustained during labour or delivery. If your injury is ACC-covered, we can help lodge your claim and you may only need to pay a surcharge.

Related physio and rehabilitation services

Pelvic health physiotherapy
Pelvic health physiotherapy
Surgical recovery
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Surgical recovery
Surgical recovery
Pain support
Pain support
Headache support
Headache support
Podiatry
Podiatry

Frequently asked questions

When should I see a physiotherapist during pregnancy?

You can see a physiotherapist at any stage of pregnancy. Many people attend when pain develops, but physiotherapy can also help prevent discomfort and support safe exercise.

How soon after birth can I see a physiotherapist?

Many people benefit from physiotherapy within the first few weeks after birth, particularly to assess pelvic floor and abdominal recovery.

Can physiotherapy help pelvic floor weakness?

Yes. Physiotherapists can assess pelvic floor strength and guide you through exercises and rehabilitation strategies to support recovery.

Support your body through pregnancy and recovery

Our physiotherapists are here to help you stay comfortable during pregnancy and recover well after birth.