In-Person Sessions

The goal of this portion of the program is to provide you with individualised and tailored treatment so that you know you are doing everything you can to have the best outcomes postnatally. It includes:

• Pelvic floor assessment – where are you at now and what do we need to do to get your pelvic floor in the best possible shape?

• Individualised pelvic floor exercise program based on the results of your assessment

• Individual risk factor questioning – we gauge what your risk is for issues associated with childbirth including prolapse, obstetric anal sphincter injury, urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence, and then we make a plan to mitigate any risks

• Guidance and advice on safe exercise in pregnancy

• Guidance with birth choices if indicated/requested

• Coaching of perineal massage

• Coaching of pushing technique

• Resource pack provided during initial appointment filled with information so you always have something physical to refer back to

   

The program consists of 4 sessions. The initial assessment being 60 mins and then all subsequent sessions being 30 mins.

Session 1

Recommended as early as possible

This session consists of lots of questions about bladder, bowel and reproductive function, internal or external vaginal assessment to assess pelvic floor function and prescription of a personalised pelvic floor muscle function program

Session 2

Recommended after your 20 week morphology scan

Review and progression of your pelvic floor muscle function program, exercise guidance and advice, management of aches and pains.

Session 3

Recommended at 34 weeks

Review of pelvic floor muscle function, coaching of perineal massage, prescription of individualised pelvic floor stretching and down training program

Session 4

Recommended at 35 weeks

Coaching of pushing technique, assessment of pelvis, hip and spinal mobility and prescription of individualised pelvis and spinal mobility program

Postpartum Phone Check In

A 15 minute phone check in (included as part of the program) will also be scheduled around the 2 week postnatal mark to check in and answer any questions. It is then recommended to book in for your postpartum check at 6 weeks postpartum to begin your postpartum recovery.

Online Modules

The online modules have been designed to compliment the individualised assessment and treatment you receive during the in-person sessions. They are designed to be done in conjunction with regular midwife-led antenatal classes, not to replace them. These classes are physio-focused so the main aim is keeping mum as happy and healthy as possible through her pregnancy and childbirth and facilitating excellent recovery. They do not focus on bub or any early parenting advice which you will find in a midwife-led antenatal course. These modules provide all the extra information that goes with the individualised treatment you access in the in-person physiotherapy sessions. It’s the content that is just as important but does not need to be individualised from person to person.

It consists of six modules:

1. Safe exercise in pregnancy

2. Stretches and exercises to prepare your body for childbirth

3. Perineal massage

4. The first stage of labour – pain relief techniques, positions to adopt

5. The second stage of labour – positions to adopt, pushing technique

6. Early postpartum recovery – the first 6 weeks

The goal of this part of the program is to EMPOWER you. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power. It’s easy to avoid exploring and talking about the less appealing parts of pregnancy and childbirth but I guarantee you, if you arm yourself with all the knowledge going into your childbirth, you will come out of it with a much more positive experience.

Planned c-section alternative option

Some women will know from an early stage that they are having a planned c-section. C-section delivery still requires much of the same preparation and management as a vaginal delivery so it is still important to see a Women's Health Physiotherapist during your pregnancy regardless of your mode of birth. I have created a planned c-section version of both the in-person and online program. The differences being:

IN-PERSON: 1 x 60 min initial and 2 x 30 min follow ups

ONLINE: 4 modules 

The planned c-section version is offered at a cheaper price than the standard program as it consists of less sessions. If you purchase the standard program, and end up choosing a c-section birth before you have used all of your in-person sessions, the difference in price will be credited for you to use on your first postnatal appointment.

Pricing

The Femme Space Pregnancy and Birth Preparation Program comes as a full package including both the in-person sessions and online modules. The online modules can be purchased separately for those who are unable to attend in-person, however there is no option to purchase the in-person sessions without the online modules. This program design is the result of years of delivering birth preparation to women. It is the most cost-effective way to receive as much information as possible as well as 1:1 time to individualise your treatment. If you prefer to work in person only, we recommend booking standard appointments (1 x 60 min initial, 3 x 45 min follow ups) - see pricing schedule here.

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH PREPARATION PROGRAM

Full program:

in-clinic price - $700

home visit price - $740

Online modules only: $250

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH PREPARATION PROGRAM - Planned C-section option:

Full program:

in-clinic price - $550

home visit price - $575

Online modules: $200

**Credit of $145 to go towards your postnatal appointment if you purchase the standard program but decide on a planned c-section before completing all in-person sessions