Pelvic and Perinatal Physiotherapy

The team is based in the physiotherapy department at Barnsley Hospital. We see outpatients either in the main department or private treatment rooms depending on the nature of the appointment.

Exercise classes are run in the department’s gym. We also see patients on the ante-natal and post-natal wards, gynaecology ward, at breast clinics, urogynaecology clinics and sometimes at the birthing centre.

We are all female physiotherapists with specialist training in this area.

Antenatal care

Antenatal care includes:

• pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PGP), or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
• musculoskeletal pain related to pregnancy, such as back pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• diastasis recti (separating of the tummy muscles)
• ante-natal classes at 34 weeks in conjunction with a midwife
• advice regarding day to day activities during pregnancy
• appropriate exercise programmes to help alleviate painful symptoms and maintain function during pregnancy

Postnatal care

Postnatal care includes:

• Monday to Friday ward cover; we see all women, non-binary people and trans men following delivery to give advice and exercises aimed at helping with recovery and return to normal activity levels
• continued treatment of PGP and SPD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and issues such as back pain (if required)
• follow-up review of diastasis recti patients with continuation of treatment as needed
• post natal group for those who have delivered babies with higher birth weights
• core stability classes
• third and fourth degree tears (difficult births)
• follow-up of musculoskeletal pain from pregnancy

Continence and gynaecology

Continence and gynaecology care includes:

• Monday to Friday ward cover; for advice and exercises to help with recovery and return to function following certain surgical procedures
• stress urinary incontinence (such as leaking when coughing or laughing or sneezing or  exercise)
• urge incontinence, or needing to get to the toilet quickly and sometimes leaking before you get there 
• frequency – needing to go to the toilet a lot during the day or at night
• bowel problems, such as leakage or incomplete emptying

Breast care

Breast care includes:

• Monday to Friday ward cover; patients are seen individually to give advice and exercises to help with recovery of arm and shoulder function following surgery
• Outpatient assessment and treatment for things like arm and shoulder function, scar management and lymphoedema and pain relating to surgery or radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• breast clinics
• next steps exercise classes
• pre-op advice and exercise sessions