What is the “WOF”?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists employ the "WOF" screening assessment tool to create a tailored approach to your pelvic health care in pregnancy. Although the focus shifts between pregnancy and postpartum stages, the primary goal remains consistent: to prevent and manage pelvic floor injuries and incontinence, optimise your function, and support you in achieving your personal goals. Every assessment is customised around your individual concerns, history, and presentation. Treatment plans, if necessary, are developed with careful consideration of your medical history, personal objectives, and physical requirements.
Pregnancy WOF
When assessing pregnant women, the typical evaluation includes:
- Posture and core assessment
- Screening for diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles)
- Options for safe exercise
- Addressing any concerns related to continence or constipation
During the third trimester, it's essential to discuss delivery plans and prepare the body for labor, whether it's a vaginal birth or a C-section. Important topics to cover include perineal release, post-delivery expectations (both for C-section and vaginal birth), and pelvic floor rehabilitation, among others.
Post Natal WOF
The assessment and screening for postpartum women encompass a range of topics, with a particular emphasis on pelvic floor recovery. This focus aims to address concerns related to continence, prolapse, healing of tears, and other perineal or pelvic floor issues.
We routinely recommend an internal vaginal examination to assess concerns such as pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor muscle strength, dysfunction, and pain. This examination also helps evaluate perineal tears and determines your readiness for exercise from a pelvic floor risk standpoint. You have the right to decline the internal examination if you prefer.
If you have experienced a maternal birth injury, ACC offers assistance in subsidising the costs of pelvic health physiotherapy. If you haven't applied yet, you can do so through Beyond Pelvic Floor. You can view all costs, including the ACC co-payment, on the fees page.
Why do we recommend women do a "WOF" after each baby?
Every pregnancy and delivery is unique. However, one constant is the dramatic transformation your body undergoes during the birthing year. The mechanical, psychological, and physiological demands placed on your body during this period are significant, whether your experience is positive or presents challenges.
At Beyond Pelvic Health, we value the postnatal WOF as it allows us to assess any changes that may have occurred during your pregnancy or delivery. This check not only helps us identify concerns but also enables us to inform women about various management options available for any issues that may arise later in life, or for pre-existing concerns.
We focus on identifying risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction and prolapse tailored to each pregnancy and delivery. This proactive approach helps us prevent or effectively manage these conditions, whether you’ve had a vaginal or C-section delivery, as pregnancy itself places considerable strain on your pelvic area.
It's also important for us to support women in returning to the activities they love, whether that’s going for a leisurely walk or getting back into CrossFit. We recognise the wide spectrum of what is considered "normal" in terms of physical demands on a woman's body. Therefore, our advice and treatment plans are customised to meet the unique needs of each woman, reaffirming that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, particularly when it comes to postnatal care after each baby.
Why do a Pregnancy WOF before delivery?
The Pregnancy WOF aims to adapt to each stage of pregnancy. I typically recommend that women schedule at least three visits during their birthing year: once during the first or second trimester, around 35 weeks, and again for a postnatal WOF.
Why three visits?
1st/2nd Trimester
My goal is to help you maintain an active lifestyle throughout your pregnancy in a safe and enjoyable manner. Numerous health benefits are linked to regular exercise during the year leading up to and throughout your pregnancy. Staying active positively influences both maternal and fetal health, enhancing physical and mental well-being. Additionally, we want you to be fit enough to handle labor, especially if you’re planning for a vaginal delivery, and strong enough to manage the demands of caring for your newborn. We will discuss common topics, such as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, effective ways to continue exercising, and the changes you can expect in your biomechanics. This support is particularly crucial for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies, where exercise options may be more limited.
Furthermore, we'll cover pelvic floor training and touch on recovery strategies related to pregnancy and delivery.
3rd Trimester
I suggest scheduling your third trimester appointment around 35 weeks, once your birth plan is established. This visit is crucial for preparing for both cesarean and vaginal deliveries, as plans are sometimes required to evolve, and I want you to feel well-prepared.
Should you wish to prepare for a vaginal delivery, it is encouraged that we conduct an internal examination to assess your pelvic floor coordination during delivery and teach you techniques for perineal massage, which can help minimise perineal injuries during birth.
Additionally, you may opt for regular perineal release sessions with a pelvic health physiotherapist as part of your preparation for delivery, and there are shorter perineal massage appointments and packages available for this purpose.
Postnatal WOF
This visit is scheduled after your delivery, as discussed above.
The Birthing Year Package
In light of all of this, I have put together a package called “the birthing year”, which will be a package deal for 3 appointments spaced out through the 1st/2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and post natal assessment. You can look at this package here.
Want to Know More? Book a FREE Phone Consultation
Schedule a free, no-obligation phone consultation with Anna today! This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your condition or diagnosis, learn how physiotherapy can assist you, explore what to expect during an assessment, or discuss potential treatment plans. Feel free to inquire about anything on your mind! A scheduled consultation lasts up to 15 minutes.
Go to book online, and select the “complimentary phone consult” option to book a time slot.