Don’t Wait 6 Weeks: How Early Post Natal Physio at Home Can Change Your Recovery

Don’t Wait 6 Weeks: How Early Post Natal Physio at Home Can Change Your Recovery

February 23rd

Bringing a baby into the world is one of life’s greatest joys, but it also brings new physical demands on your body. Despite this, many women are told to wait until the 6‑week check before addressing any pain, weakness, or pelvic floor concerns.

Could Delaying Post Natal Physio Be Slowing Your Recovery?

An early postpartum physio home visit can dramatically improve your comfort, confidence, and recovery, right when you need it most. In those early weeks of feeding, holding, soothing, and very little sleep, expert guidance in your own home can truly change everything.

What to Expect from an Early Post Natal Physio Home Visit

An early postpartum physio home visit is designed to support your recovery safely, ideally within the first 2 to 3 weeks after birth, without you having to leave the house during those challenging early days of feeding and unpredictable sleep schedules.

After taking a detailed history of your labour, birth and your recovery, the visit typically includes:

1. Assessing Holding and Feeding Positions

Many new mums develop neck, shoulder, and back pain within days of coming home. Long feeding sessions, leaning forward, and cradling your baby without support places repeated strain on your body.

During your early postpartum physio home visit, your physio will:

• Assess how you are currently feeding and holding your baby
• Adjust your setup using pillows and supports you already have
• Teach neutral spine positioning to offload your neck and shoulders
• Demonstrate alternatives like side‑lying feeding to reduce strain
• Small changes can make a huge difference in reducing daily pain.

2. Gentle Exercises for Post Natal Recovery to Improve “New Mum Posture”

Early motherhood often creates a specific posture pattern, with rounded shoulders, tight chest muscles, stiff upper back, and an overloaded lower back.

Your physio will guide gentle mobility exercises to:

• Open the chest
• Improve upper back movement
• Restore neck mobility
• Reduce load on your lower back

These movements counteract the repetitive positions of feeding and carrying and help prevent ongoing discomfort.

3. When to Begin Workouts for Rectus Abdominis After Birth

Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRAM), or abdominal muscle separation, is common postpartum. Contrary to outdated advice, gentle targeted abdominal exercises can begin early when appropriately guided.

Research supports early rehabilitation. A study by Benjamin and colleagues found that specific early core‑stability exercises improved diastasis width and functional outcomes compared to standard care.¹

During an early postpartum physio home visit, you will learn:

• How to activate your deep abdominal muscles safely
• Breath‑coordinated core engagement
• Movements that support healing without increasing abdominal pressure

Early guidance helps prevent compensatory patterns and supports long‑term core recovery.

4. Starting Pelvic Floor Exercises for Post Pregnancy in the Early Weeks

You do not need to wait 6 weeks to begin reconnecting with your pelvic floor.

Your physio will teach:

• How to correctly activate your pelvic floor muscles
• Coordination of breath and pelvic floor
• Appropriate pelvic floor exercises based on your body, birth and healing.

Evidence shows that structured pelvic floor muscle training postpartum significantly reduces urinary incontinence and improves muscle strength compared to no training.²

Importantly, no internal pelvic floor examination is performed until after 6 weeks. Early sessions focus on education, external assessment, and safe activation.

Why Early Post Natal Physio at Home Makes a Real Difference

The first few weeks postpartum are intense. Between feeding, sleep deprivation, and healing, leaving the house can feel overwhelming.

An early postpartum physio home visit means:

• No packing baby bags
• No navigating feeding schedules
• No rushing to appointments
• Support delivered in your real‑life environment

 It allows your physio to assess how you move, feed, and recover in the space where you spend most of your time, making the advice practical and immediately applicable.

Recovery Starts Now: Post Natal Physio and Exercises for Post Natal Healing

Those early weeks after birth are a critical window for recovery, and the right guidance can set the tone for months to come. Support doesn’t have to wait, and it can start right in the comfort of your living room.

We’re now offering Postpartum Home Visits with Sophie or Susan for existing clients within a 10-minute drive of Kinematics (32 Lambert St, Richmond). Sessions run for 45 minutes, with home visits charged at a 60-minute rate to accommodate travel. A 45-minute telehealth consultation is also available.

You can view our Women’s Health pricing here. To book your Postpartum Home Visit, call 9421 3661.

References

Benjamin DR, et al. Early postpartum core stability exercises and their effect on diastasis rectus abdominis in postpartum women. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy. 2019;43(2):75‑83.

Woodley SJ, et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for postpartum women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020; Issue 5. Art. No.: CD007471.