Pregnancy and delivery can lead to some significant changes to your body. Some of the common issues we see include:

  • Lower back and pelvic pain
  • Wrist pain – particularly postnatally
  • Stomach muscle separation
  • Failure of the stomach to return to its pre-pregnancy tone
  • Continence issues
  • Neck and shoulder tightness

Supervised exercise programmes under the guidance of highly trained physiotherapists like those at Sydney Advanced Physio can aid these issues by improving your alignment, strength, control and flexibility. It allows us to target certain areas that need to get stronger or need to be stretched. Our Physio Group Programmes (PGP’s) are small groups that allow us to teach you to move and exercise properly while allowing for the significant changes your body goes through even after delivery.

All of our programmes are individualised. This means that we can tailor the class experience to each individual and a programme will be designed for you by your physiotherapist. Each participant does exercises that are appropriate to their age, physical condition, and goals. (For example, Bonnie has a Women’s Only Mat Class.)

Mums & Bubs are postnatal mat sessions that allow you to bring your infants or kids to the class and in some cases the exercises can include your child! There is no need to bring your infant; however, you should feel free to do so. These are limited to five participants. ** Please note: Mums & Bubs is not running at this time during the COVID-19 crisis **

Recent changes to health fund rebates mean that all classes must be individualised in order for you to claim. We currently do not offer general classes where all participants do the same exercises while following an instructor. From April 2019 health funds will no longer provide coverage for that style of general class. They will only cover individualised classes guided by physios.

Our mat and equipment PGP’s are appropriate for pregnant and postnatal participants and are available at a wide variety of times and are also restricted to small group numbers. We do not currently have any classes that are exclusively for just antenatal or postnatal participants except Mums & Bubs. Mums & Bubs is specifically a postnatal class.

As our programmes are small groups and individualised you can attend any session and know that our physios will adapt the programme to accommodate your needs. All you need to do is have a PGP Assessment and then, if the physio says it’s safe for you to participate (and your doctor agrees if you’re pregnant) then you just need to pick a session time that works for you.

Before your first Physio Group Programme (PGP)

It is a requirement that you have a PGP Assessment with a physiotherapist before entering a class.

If you have done PGP’s with us during pregnancy and you’re looking to get back into it after having your baby you will need to have another PGP Assessment. Your body goes through an enormous amount of changes during pregnancy and delivery and we need to be sure that you’re ready.

When we do a Real Time Ultrasound scan we look at your bladder and we look at the way you use your stomach muscles. To do this most effectively it is helpful if your bladder is not empty. You don’t need to have a full bladder – there simply needs to be some urine in the bladder so try to avoid going to the toilet when you arrive at the clinic.

To join a PGP while pregnant you must have a note from your doctor providing clearance for your participation. If you are entering a postnatal class within the first 3 months of delivery you also will be required to provide a note from your doctor to say you are medically well enough to participate. This letter can come from your GP or Obstetrician/Gynaecologist.

Please note: Having a PGP Assessment prior to entering a class is a safety standard of our company. Occasionally our physios may feel that someone is not quite ready for a group setting, or that it would not be safe for them to participate for some reason.  If this is the case our physios will explain to you why we feel that you might not be ready yet to join a PGP, or why we feel like it might not be the best path for you. We will always try to help you develop strategies to go forward so that you can be ready for PGP sessions in the near future or so that you can manage your issue safely another way. Our primary concern is your safety and we want to ensure you get the best possible results from group exercise sessions. The physio must clear you before you can enter a PGP. 

Patients with gynaecological conditions may require a Women’s Health assessment to ensure their safe participation.

Patients with prolapses or pain disorders (like pain during intercourse) are strongly encouraged to have a Women’s Health assessment before entering a class. Some gynaecological issues, such as an overactive pelvic floor, can be worsened by Pilates and so we do recommend that if you have any concerns you see our women’s health physio prior to commencing classes.

For class times please contact reception on 9416 4410.