Mummy MOT in Medway: What is checked and who is it for?
After pregnancy and birth, it’s common to notice that your body feels or functions differently. You might leak when you cough or exercise, feel less strength through your stomach, notice heaviness in the pelvis or find that your lower back and hips aren’t as comfortable as they used to be.
These symptoms are often dismissed as “just part of having a baby”, but that doesn’t mean they’re something you have to live with.
At Lordswood Osteopathic Clinic, we often speak to women who aren’t sure whether what they’re experiencing is significant enough to mention. A Mummy MOT gives you time to talk through those changes, understand what may be contributing to them and find out what support could help, without embarrassment or judgement.
What is a Mummy MOT?
A Mummy MOT at Lordswood’s Women’s Health Clinic is a specialist assessment of how your body is recovering and functioning after pregnancy and birth.
It looks at how your posture, abdominal muscles, pelvic floor and general movement are working together, rather than treating one uncomfortable area in isolation.
A routine postnatal check with your GP or midwife is an important part of recovery, but there may not be time to explore every physical change in detail. If you’re looking for a more focused postnatal check in Medway, a Mummy MOT provides a longer appointment where you can discuss concerns such as leaking, pelvic pressure, abdominal weakness, pain or returning to exercise.
Is a Mummy MOT only for new mums?
Despite the name, you don’t have to be a new mum to benefit from the support available through Lordswood’s Women’s Health Clinic.
Anyone with female anatomy may experience changes in pelvic health, regardless of their age or whether they’ve had children. You might be dealing with leaking, pelvic pressure, abdominal weakness, bowel symptoms, discomfort during sex or changes linked to menopause. These concerns can sometimes feel difficult to mention, but they are all valid reasons to ask for advice.
For those who have given birth, there is no point at which it becomes “too late” to seek support. Some women book because symptoms never fully settled after pregnancy, while others only notice a change when they return to running, increase their exercise or begin lifting and carrying more as their child grows.
If you have recently given birth, we generally recommend waiting until after your six-week postnatal check before booking. Beyond that, what matters most is how your body feels and functions now, rather than your age, how long ago you gave birth or whether you’ve had children at all.
What is checked during a Mummy MOT?
The assessment is shaped around your symptoms and the activities you want to return to. It isn’t the same checklist for every person.
1. Posture and movement
Pregnancy can change the way you stand and carry your weight, but the physical demands continue after your baby arrives.
Feeding in the same position, carrying your baby on one side, lifting a car seat and repeatedly bending over a cot can all place extra demand on the back, pelvis, hips and shoulders.
Your practitioner may ask you to carry out a few simple movements so they can see which areas are moving comfortably and whether other parts of your body are working harder to compensate.
If pain began during pregnancy, you can also read more about pregnancy-related pain and pelvic girdle pain.
2. Core and abdominal function
Your abdominal muscles may be assessed if you’ve noticed weakness through your core, difficulty sitting up or lifting, or a gap down the middle of your stomach.
This widening between the abdominal muscles is often called diastasis recti. However, the size of the gap is only part of the picture.
What matters is how well the abdominal wall manages pressure and works with your breathing muscles and pelvic floor during everyday activities. Two people may have a similar-sized gap but experience very different levels of strength and control.
If you’re concerned about diastasis recti, the assessment can help you understand how your abdominal muscles are functioning rather than focusing only on the width of the gap.
If you had a C-section, the practitioner may also consider how the scar and surrounding tissues feel and move. Where appropriate, they may discuss whether scar therapy could help.
3. Pelvic floor function
The pelvic floor supports the bladder, bowel and pelvic organs. It also helps with bladder and bowel control, managing pressure during movement and sexual comfort.
These muscles need to contract when support is required, but they also need to relax properly.
Leaking, urgency, heaviness or discomfort don’t always mean the pelvic floor is simply weak. The muscles may be tense, poorly coordinated or struggling to manage pressure during coughing, lifting or exercise.
This is why doing more pelvic floor squeezes isn’t always the answer. A pelvic floor assessment at our Medway clinic helps the practitioner understand how the muscles are functioning before recommending exercises or treatment.
You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss symptoms such as:
- Leaking urine when you cough, laugh, lift or exercise.
- Needing to reach the toilet urgently.
- Constipation or difficulty emptying the bowel.
- Difficulty controlling wind.
- Bowel leakage.
- Pelvic heaviness or pressure.
- Discomfort during sex.
A feeling of heaviness, dragging or pressure can sometimes be associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Your practitioner can discuss what you’ve noticed and whether pelvic health support or further medical assessment may be appropriate.
These concerns are more common than many women realise, and a women’s health appointment is a good opportunity to mention them.
4. Pelvic, hip and lower-back pain
The assessment may also explore pelvic, hip or lower-back pain, particularly if it began during pregnancy or continued after birth.
For example, carrying your baby on the same side can make one hip and side of the back work harder. Feeding in a rounded position may contribute to back or shoulder tension, while protecting a painful scar can subtly change the way you stand and move.
Looking at how these areas work together can help identify why certain movements remain uncomfortable and what might make everyday activities easier.
Will there be an internal examination?
An internal vaginal assessment may be offered because it can provide useful information about how well the pelvic floor muscles contract, relax and respond to pressure.
However, it will only happen with your clear consent.
Your practitioner will explain what the assessment involves and why it may be helpful. You can ask questions, decline it, pause it or change your mind at any point.
If you would prefer not to have an internal examination, external assessment can still provide useful information about your posture, movement, breathing, abdominal function and pelvic floor coordination.
What happens after the assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, your practitioner will explain what they’ve found and what may help next.
This could include hands-on treatment, pelvic floor or core rehabilitation, a small number of relevant exercises or practical advice about lifting, carrying and returning to activity.
Some women may mainly need reassurance and guidance. Others may benefit from treatment and follow-up support. There is no standard plan that suits everyone.
If the assessment suggests that your symptoms need further investigation or a different type of care, your practitioner will explain this and recommend that you speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.
You can find current appointment fees on the clinic’s pricing page.
When should you seek urgent medical advice?
A Mummy MOT is designed to assess postnatal musculoskeletal and pelvic health concerns, but it isn’t a replacement for urgent medical care.
Seek advice from your GP, midwife, NHS 111 or urgent care if you experience:
- Sudden or very heavy bleeding.
- A fever, shivering or worsening abdominal pain.
- Unusual or unpleasant-smelling discharge.
- Signs that a wound or C-section scar may be infected.
- Sudden severe or rapidly worsening pain.
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing.
- Pain, redness or swelling in one calf.
- New weakness or loss of sensation.
If something feels urgent, unusual or significantly different from the recovery symptoms you’ve experienced before, don’t wait for a pelvic health appointment before seeking medical help.
When might a Mummy MOT be helpful?
Recovery after pregnancy and birth is different for everyone, and some changes will improve gradually with time.
However, it may be worth asking for support if symptoms continue, keep returning or begin affecting the things you want and need to do.
You may be avoiding exercise because you’re worried about leaking, planning outings around access to a toilet, feeling nervous about lifting your child or wondering whether your abdominal muscles are recovering as expected.
You don’t have to wait until a symptom becomes severe or stops you completely. Feeling worried, uncomfortable or less confident in your body is a valid reason to ask for advice.
Book a Mummy MOT in Medway
At Lordswood Osteopathic Clinic, your appointment gives you time to talk openly about what has changed, ask questions and understand what your body may need now.
Every assessment is carried out with your comfort and dignity in mind. Nothing will be rushed or assumed, and you remain in control throughout.
Ready to understand what your body needs now? You can book a Women’s Health Clinic or Mummy MOT appointment at Lordswood Osteopathic Clinic in Chatham.
If you’re unsure whether the service is right for you, get in touch with the team first and talk through your concerns before booking.
Frequently asked questions about Mummy MOTs
Is a Mummy MOT only for women who have recently given birth?
No. Although a Mummy MOT focuses on postnatal recovery, you can book months or years after giving birth if symptoms have continued or become more noticeable over time. If you haven’t given birth but are experiencing pelvic health concerns, Lordswood’s wider Women’s Health Clinic may still be able to support you.
Can I have a Mummy MOT after a C-section?
Yes. The assessment can look at posture, movement, abdominal and core function, and whether the scar area is affecting everyday activities. Your practitioner may also discuss whether rehabilitation, hands-on treatment or scar therapy could be useful.
Will I need an internal examination?
No. An internal vaginal assessment may be offered because it can provide useful information about how your pelvic floor is functioning, but it is always your choice. External assessment can still provide valuable information.
Can I decline part of the assessment?
Yes. You can decline, pause or stop any part of the assessment at any time. Your practitioner will explain what they are recommending and ask for your consent throughout the appointment.
What should I wear to a Mummy MOT?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. Your practitioner will explain if they need to assess a particular area and will give you the opportunity to raise any concerns before the assessment begins.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no set number. It depends on your symptoms, what is found during the assessment and what you want to return to doing. Some women may mainly need reassurance and practical advice, while others may benefit from treatment and follow-up support.
Can a Mummy MOT help during menopause?
A Mummy MOT is specifically designed around postnatal recovery. However, Lordswood’s wider Women’s Health Clinic also supports women experiencing pelvic health changes during menopause, including leaking, urgency, pelvic pressure, intimate discomfort and changes in pelvic floor function.