What Is a Mummy MOT and Do I Need One?

Pregnancy and childbirth place unique demands on your body, yet many women are surprised by how little attention their own recovery receives after giving birth. While your baby will have regular health checks, your postnatal care often consists of a brief six-week GP appointment, with little assessment of how your body is actually recovering.

If you’re experiencing back pain, pelvic discomfort, bladder leakage or simply don’t feel like your body has fully recovered after pregnancy, you’re certainly not alone.

A Mummy MOT is a specialist postnatal assessment designed to help identify the physical changes pregnancy and childbirth can leave behind, providing reassurance where everything is recovering well and personalised advice where further support may be beneficial.

At Family Osteopathy Hammersmith, we believe every woman deserves the opportunity to understand her recovery and feel confident returning to everyday life and exercise.

What Is a Mummy MOT?

A Mummy MOT is a comprehensive postnatal assessment that evaluates how your body has recovered following pregnancy and childbirth.

Rather than simply asking how you’re feeling, a Mummy MOT takes a detailed look at how your muscles, joints, posture and movement are functioning after birth.

Your assessment may include:

• Assessment of abdominal separation (diastasis recti)

• Pelvic floor assessment (where appropriate and with your informed consent)

• Core muscle function

• Posture and spinal alignment

• Hip and pelvic mobility

• Breathing mechanics

• Assessment of Caesarean section or perineal scars where appropriate

• Functional movement assessment

• Advice on returning safely to exercise

Every assessment is tailored to your individual recovery, symptoms and goals.

When Should You Have a Mummy MOT?

Many women choose to book a Mummy MOT from around six weeks after giving birth, once they’ve been medically cleared following delivery.

However, there is no upper time limit.

Whether your baby is:

• Six weeks old

• Six months old

• Six years old

a Mummy MOT can still provide valuable insight into your recovery.

Many women continue to experience symptoms for years without realising that support is available.

Do I Need a Mummy MOT?

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“Do I actually need one?”

While every woman’s recovery is different, many women benefit from a postnatal assessment—even if they feel they’re recovering well.

Some symptoms develop gradually and can easily be dismissed as simply “part of being a mum.”

A Mummy MOT may be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing:

• Bladder leakage when coughing, sneezing or exercising

• A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis

• Lower back pain

• Hip pain

• Pelvic pain

• Ongoing discomfort around a Caesarean section scar

• Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)

• Difficulty returning to exercise

• A feeling that your core no longer feels as strong or stable

Although these symptoms are common, they shouldn’t simply be accepted as something you have to live with.

What Happens During a Mummy MOT?

At Family Osteopathy Hammersmith, every appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your pregnancy, birth experience and any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Your assessment may include:

• Medical and pregnancy history

• Standing posture

• Walking pattern

• Core muscle assessment

• Hip and pelvic movement

• Spinal mobility

• Functional movement

• Pelvic floor assessment where appropriate

We’ll explain our findings clearly before discussing personalised treatment, rehabilitation and practical advice to support your recovery.

Can Osteopathy Help After Pregnancy?

Yes.

Pregnancy affects your whole body—not just your pelvis.

Changes in posture, breathing, abdominal muscles and movement patterns can all contribute to ongoing discomfort after birth.

As osteopaths, we look at how your body is working as a whole rather than focusing solely on the area where you feel pain.

Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:

• Gentle hands-on osteopathic treatment

• Soft tissue techniques

• Joint mobilisation

• Postural advice

• Rehabilitation exercises

• Advice on lifting, feeding and caring for your baby comfortably

Our aim is to help you move more comfortably while supporting your long-term recovery.

Is It Ever Too Late to Have a Mummy MOT?

Absolutely not.

Many women don’t discover the Mummy MOT until months or even years after giving birth.

Whether you’re hoping to return to running, struggling with ongoing back pain or simply want reassurance that your body is functioning well, a Mummy MOT can still be valuable.

Recovery doesn’t have an expiry date.

Why Choose Family Osteopathy Hammersmith?

At Family Osteopathy Hammersmith, we provide personalised osteopathic care in a calm, welcoming environment.

Our approach combines detailed assessment, hands-on treatment, rehabilitation and practical advice to help you feel supported throughout your recovery.

Every woman is different, and your care should reflect that.

Whether you’re six weeks postpartum or several years after giving birth, we’re here to help you move with greater confidence and comfort.

Book Your Mummy MOT in Hammersmith

If you’ve recently had a baby—or your children are now much older—and you’re experiencing back pain, pelvic discomfort, abdominal separation, bladder leakage or simply don’t feel like your body has fully recovered, a Mummy MOT could help.

At Family Osteopathy Hammersmith, we provide evidence-informed postnatal assessments and osteopathic care for women across Hammersmith, Fulham, Chiswick, Shepherd’s Bush, Kensington and the surrounding areas.

Book your Mummy MOT today and take the first step towards understanding your recovery and feeling stronger in your body again.