What does a postnatal physio do?

A postnatal physio (you'll also see "women's health" or "pelvic health" physiotherapist) is a physiotherapist who specialises in the body after pregnancy and birth. They look at things like your pelvic floor, your tummy muscles, C-section or perineal scars, and back or pelvic pain from all the lifting, feeding and carrying a baby involves.

The NHS describes these problems as common after having a baby. Leaking a bit of pee when you laugh, cough or move suddenly happens to a lot of people. So does some separation of the tummy muscles, called diastasis recti, which the NHS says usually goes back to normal by around 8 weeks. Common doesn't mean you have to live with it. If something is bothering you, the NHS advice is to ask your GP or health visitor at any time.

A physio's job is to assess what's going on and give you a plan, usually exercises, advice on lifting and posture, and sometimes hands-on treatment such as scar work. They don't replace your GP or midwife, and they won't diagnose or treat anything outside physiotherapy.

See your GP first if you're unsure. Your 6 to 8 week postnatal check with your GP is the right place to mention leaking pee or poo, trouble holding in wind, or painful sex. If you have a heavy feeling between your vagina and anus, or any other physical problem that is bothering you, the NHS says to ask your GP or health visitor at any time. The GP can refer you to an NHS physio. If you have sudden or very heavy bleeding, a high temperature with a sore or tender tummy, pain or swelling in one calf, or chest pain or difficulty breathing, the NHS says to tell your midwife, health visitor or GP straight away.

This guide is general information, not medical advice.

Postnatal physio on the NHS in South Manchester

Greater Manchester has NHS perinatal pelvic health services: teams of specialist pelvic health physios and midwives who support you during pregnancy and for up to a year after birth. How you get in depends on where you gave birth and where you live.

Gave birth at Saint Mary's (Oxford Road)

You can self-refer to physiotherapy at any point in pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after the birth. Call 0161 276 6411 (9am to 4pm), or ask your midwife or GP to refer you.

Gave birth at Wythenshawe

Your GP or midwife makes the referral to the physiotherapy team at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Living in Trafford (Sale, Altrincham, Stretford, Urmston)

If you live in Trafford and you are booked to have your baby at Saint Mary's or Wythenshawe, there's pelvic health physio closer to home at Trafford General and Altrincham Hospital. You can self-refer from 14 weeks of pregnancy by calling 0300 323 0303 and asking for the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team. After the birth, ask your GP or midwife to refer you.

Living in Stockport (Heatons, Cheadle, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple)

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust runs pelvic health physio. To be seen, ask your midwife, GP or health visitor to refer you. You can raise it at your postnatal check or at any GP appointment.

Looking for baby groups nearby? See our guide to baby classes in Cheadle and Heald Green.

More than a year after birth? The NHS route is still your GP, who can refer you to your local pelvic health or continence service.

NHS waiting times vary, and some parents choose to see a private physio as well. That's a personal choice. A private appointment doesn't replace your NHS postnatal check, and you should still tell your GP about any symptoms.

What is a Mummy MOT?

You'll see "Mummy MOT" a lot when you search. It's a branded private postnatal check, carried out by physiotherapists trained and licensed by The Mummy MOT organisation. It isn't an NHS service. According to The Mummy MOT's own description, the one-hour assessment includes:

  • a posture check
  • a pelvic floor muscle assessment
  • a check for separated tummy muscles
  • questions about bladder, bowel and sexual symptoms

You then get advice on everyday things like lifting your baby or pushing a buggy, and an exercise plan. Most clinics offer it from 6 weeks after birth, and plenty see women months or years later.

Part of the pelvic floor check can be an internal examination. Clinics say this is always optional: you can say no, change your mind, or bring someone with you. If that worries you, ask the clinic how they handle it before you book.

What it costs: it's a private appointment, so you pay for it yourself, and prices vary between clinics. As one local example, Bump to Beyond in Sale listed £99 for a one-hour Mummy MOT when we checked its website in October 2026. Always check the current price, and what follow-up sessions cost, when you book.

Not every postnatal check is called a Mummy MOT. Some clinics run their own "postnatal assessment" or "postnatal body check" covering similar ground. Ask what's included and whether you'll see a physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic health.

Postnatal physio listed on Little Village

The following practitioner is listed on Little Village. More are being added as the directory grows.

Bump to Beyond

Postnatal physio · Mummy MOT  ·  Sale / Altrincham / Didsbury / Hale / Stretford / Stockport

A women's health physiotherapy and wellness clinic on Washway Road in Sale, supporting women through pregnancy, after birth and later life. Services include Mummy MOT assessments (from 6 weeks after birth), C-section recovery and scar therapy, diastasis recti (tummy gap) treatment, pelvic health care, pregnancy physio, menopause support, pessary fitting and massage. If you're having problems in the first 6 weeks, the clinic suggests speaking to your GP or consultant first, or calling them for advice.

bumptobeyond.uk →

Finding a private women's health physio near you

Bump to Beyond is the postnatal physio currently listed on Little Village. If Sale isn't practical for you, there are other private women's health and pelvic health physios across Didsbury, Chorlton, Stockport, Altrincham and Hale. Some run the Mummy MOT, and others offer their own postnatal assessment covering similar ground.

Two national directories are a good place to start your search:

Other parents are often the quickest route too. Ask at your baby group, or in local parent groups for your area.

What to look for in a private postnatal physio

A registered physiotherapist with pelvic health experience. Physiotherapist is a protected title in the UK, so anyone using it should be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Ask how much of their work is pelvic or women's health. Some clinics also offer postnatal fitness or Pilates with instructors or personal trainers. That can be useful later on, but it isn't the same as a clinical assessment.

A clear picture of what's included. Is the first appointment an assessment only, or does treatment start straight away? Will you get a written plan or exercise programme? How long is the session, and what do follow-ups cost?

Choice and consent. A good clinic will explain each part of the assessment before it happens, including any internal examination. It should be clear that you can say no or stop at any point, and that you can bring someone with you.

Practical fit. Can you bring your baby to appointments? Is there parking or step-free access for a pram? Are there appointment times that work around feeds and naps?

Knowing when to send you back to your GP. A good physio will tell you if something needs medical investigation rather than physiotherapy. Mention any symptoms at your 6 to 8 week postnatal check, whatever you decide about private care.

More postnatal support in South Manchester

Physical recovery is only one part of the early months. If you'd like practical help at home while you recover, our guide to postnatal doulas in Manchester explains what they do and what they cost. If feeding is the worry, see our guide to breastfeeding support in South Manchester for local lactation consultants.

And once you feel ready to get out with your baby, our guides to baby classes in Sale and Altrincham and Stockport round up what's on locally.

If what you're noticing is more about how you feel, like feeling persistently low or anxious, or struggling to cope, talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP. The NHS says you don't have to put on a brave face, and help is available.

Common questions

What is a Mummy MOT?
The Mummy MOT is a branded postnatal check carried out by physiotherapists trained and licensed by The Mummy MOT organisation. It is usually a one-hour private appointment covering posture, your pelvic floor muscles, a check for separated tummy muscles, and questions about bladder, bowel and sexual symptoms, followed by an exercise and recovery plan. Most clinics offer it from 6 weeks after birth. It is not an NHS service and does not replace your NHS postnatal check with your GP.
How much does a Mummy MOT cost in South Manchester?
Prices vary by clinic, and it is a private appointment you pay for yourself. As one local example, Bump to Beyond in Sale listed its Mummy MOT at £99 for a one-hour session when we checked its website in October 2026. Always confirm the current price, and the cost of any follow-up sessions, when you book.
Can I get postnatal physio on the NHS in Manchester?
Yes. Greater Manchester has NHS perinatal pelvic health services for pregnancy and up to a year after birth. If you gave birth at Saint Mary's Oxford Road, you can self-refer up to 12 weeks after the birth on 0161 276 6411. For Wythenshawe, your GP or midwife refers you. If you live in Trafford and you are booked to have your baby at Saint Mary's or Wythenshawe, you can self-refer from 14 weeks of pregnancy by calling 0300 323 0303 and asking for the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team. After the birth, ask your GP or midwife to refer you. In Stockport, ask your midwife, GP or health visitor to refer you. Otherwise, ask your GP.
When should I see my GP instead of booking a private physio?
Start with your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are leaking pee or poo, can't control wind, find sex painful, or still have an obvious tummy gap 8 weeks after birth. The NHS lists these as things to raise. A heavy feeling between your vagina and anus is also described by the NHS, which says to ask your GP or health visitor if a physical problem is bothering you. If you have sudden or very heavy bleeding, a high temperature with a sore or tender tummy, pain or swelling in one calf, or chest pain or difficulty breathing, the NHS says to tell your midwife, health visitor or GP straight away. A private physio can be an extra option, not a replacement for NHS care.
How soon after birth can I see a postnatal physio?
Most private postnatal checks, including the Mummy MOT, are offered from 6 weeks after birth, and many clinics also see women months or years later. If you have problems before 6 weeks, speak to your midwife or GP first. NHS pelvic health services in Greater Manchester can see you during pregnancy and in the first year after birth.
Do I need a referral to see a private postnatal physio?
No. Private clinics take bookings directly, and you pay for the appointment yourself. You still need your GP for an NHS referral, prescriptions or anything that needs medical investigation, so mention any symptoms at your 6 to 8 week postnatal check even if you plan to see a private physio.

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