Pelvic Floor Physio — The Post-Birth Essential

Every Melbourne mum should see a women's health physiotherapist after birth. Full stop. It doesn't matter whether you had a vaginal birth or a c-section. It doesn't matter whether you feel "fine." Pelvic floor problems show up months or years later — and they're far easier to fix early.

What is a women's health physio?

A physiotherapist with postgraduate training in pelvic floor and post-partum recovery. They're trained to assess and treat:

• Bladder leakage (stress incontinence)
• Pelvic organ prolapse (the heavy/dragging sensation)
• Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
• Painful sex
• Lower back and SI joint pain
• Coccyx pain
• Birth-related perineal scarring

When to go

6 weeks post-birth is the standard recommendation. Earlier if you've had a third- or fourth-degree tear, a c-section with complications, or you're already feeling something is wrong.

Don't wait for your 6-week GP check to ask about a referral. Book your physio appointment in advance.

What an appointment is actually like

Your first session is usually 60 minutes. The physio will:

1. Ask about your birth, your symptoms, and your goals. 2. Assess your abdominal muscles externally — checking for diastasis. 3. With your consent, do an internal exam — yes, vaginal. This is how they assess pelvic floor strength, tone, and prolapse. It is not painful, it is gentle, and a good physio will explain every step. 4. Give you a personalised set of exercises — not generic Kegels.

You'll come back 2–4 more times. Most mums need 3–6 sessions total.

Cost and rebates

• Out-of-pocket: $130–$180 for the first appointment, $100–$150 for follow-ups.
• Medicare: GPs can issue a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) which covers up to 5 physio visits per calendar year with a Medicare rebate of about $58. Ask for it at your 6-week check.
• Private health "extras" cover: usually rebates $50–$80 per visit depending on tier.

Where to find one in Melbourne

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has a directory at choose.physio. Filter for "women's health." A few specifically-recommended clinics in our community:

• Melbourne Pelvic Health (East Melbourne, Hawthorn)
• The Women's Health Physio (Carlton, Yarraville)
• Empower Physio for Women (Brighton, Caulfield)
• WHEC Women's Health Centre (Heidelberg)
• Bend + Mend Women's Health (CBD)

For our full vetted list see the directory.

The thing nobody tells you

If you're more than a year post-birth and have any pelvic floor symptoms, it's still worth going. Tissue and muscle don't have an expiry date. We've had mums in our community fix decade-old leakage in 6 sessions.

"I thought I was just going to live with it because my GP shrugged. Three sessions and I can run again." — community member, Kensington