Getting to know... Emma-Jane Penny, Mummy MOT Practitioner
Emma–Jane is a specialist women’s health physiotherapist she assesses and treats a range of conditions and is also a Mummy MOT practitioner. We talked to her about why it is as important to look after yourself as it is to look after your baby.
Why did you decide to become a Physiotherapist?
I enjoyed sports, movement, exercise and the study of human anatomy; this seemed the perfect job!
What made you specialise in women’s health?
I worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist for 7 years but after having my 2 children and suffering with my own post natal problems I became more interested in women’s health. I then took over the role as specialist women’s health physiotherapist within my local NHS in 2013 and more recently started to work privately.
What kind of conditions do you treat?
Back/hip pain
Pelvic floor muscle weakness
Bladder leaking/incontinence or urgency
Prolapse
Tummy gap
Or just helping women reach their post natal fitness goals
What is a Mummy MOT, what does it involve?
It is a comprehensive post natal assessment by a qualified physiotherapist to ensure your body gets as much care and attention as your baby. It involves a 1 hour assessment including postural screening, pelvic floor muscle assessment, abdominal muscle examination to check for separation and screening for any bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
Why should someone have a Mummy MOT?
After having a baby, up to half of all women have a weakness in either their tummy or pelvic floor muscles and up to a third still have a gap after 8 weeks. This can create poor core strength and results in poor movement control of the pelvis and back, causing back pain, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel weakness. The assessment by a specialist physiotherapist will enable the creation of a bespoke recovery programme devised especially for her.
Lots of women talk about not being able to go on a trampoline, laugh too much or sneeze after giving birth without leaking, it seems that women are starting to see this as normal is that the case?
Unfortunately some adverts normalise leakage so people don’t seek help. Although bladder leakage is common it should never be considered ‘normal’. It can be treated effectively with physiotherapy.
When would you advise someone to have a Mummy MOT? Is it for just after giving birth or can it be years after?
It is recommended that all women have an initial assessment 6-8 weeks following delivery of their baby, but we also treat women who gave birth years ago that may still be experiencing pelvic floor issues or still have a tummy gap.
Have you had a Mummy MOT?
I have been lucky enough to work alongside and train with some wonderful pelvic health physiotherapists where I have received my own advice and rehab.
How can you go about finding someone to do a Mummy MOT?
You can find your nearest Mummy MOT practitioner by visiting themummymot.com
In all the time you have worked as a physiotherapist is there a stand out moment for you?
Positive feedback such as ‘I can now run without leaking’ or when someone tells me that they are able to hold their baby without pain is so rewarding.
Don’t forget that we offer parent consultations should you need support with anything from sleep to behaviour and so much more! Details of the packages we offer can be found here.
We also have a podcast - ‘Newborn to Teen and Everything in Between’ - listen here.
