The Mummy MOT® — Postnatal Assessment

What Is The Mummy MOT®?

The Mummy MOT® is a specialist postnatal physical assessment designed to evaluate how your body has recovered after pregnancy and childbirth. Conducted by a trained women's health physiotherapist, the assessment provides a comprehensive clinical picture of your musculoskeletal and pelvic health — giving you clear answers about where you are in your recovery and what steps to take next.

At Sport Dimensions, The Mummy MOT is the starting point for every postnatal patient. Rather than guessing whether you are ready to return to exercise, or relying on generic advice from well-meaning but non-specialist sources, the assessment gives you an evidence-based, individualised recovery roadmap built on clinical findings specific to your body.

The Mummy MOT® is a registered trademark and nationally recognised postnatal assessment programme. Our physiotherapists are fully trained and certified to deliver The Mummy MOT to the standards set by the programme.

What the Assessment Includes

Your Mummy MOT assessment is thorough, covering the key areas affected by pregnancy and childbirth.

Postural Assessment

Pregnancy shifts your centre of gravity forward, often leading to increased lumbar lordosis, rounded shoulders, and altered weight distribution. Your physiotherapist will assess your standing and dynamic posture, identifying any compensatory patterns that may be contributing to discomfort or limiting your recovery. Postural correction is often the foundation for resolving persistent back pain, neck tension, and pelvic girdle pain after childbirth.

Breathing Pattern Assessment

Pregnancy and childbirth commonly disrupt optimal breathing mechanics. Your diaphragm is displaced upward during pregnancy, and many women develop shallow, upper-chest breathing patterns that persist postnatally. Your physiotherapist will assess your breathing pattern and its coordination with your pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles — a relationship that is central to core recovery and continence.

Pelvic Floor Assessment

Your physiotherapist will assess your pelvic floor muscle function, including strength, endurance, coordination, and your ability to relax the muscles fully. Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth can manifest as urinary leakage, urgency, heaviness or dragging sensations, or pain. Many women are unaware of pelvic floor weakness because they have no obvious symptoms — the assessment identifies subclinical dysfunction that, if left unaddressed, may develop into more significant problems over time.

Diastasis Recti Assessment

Diastasis recti — the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline — affects a significant proportion of postnatal women. Your physiotherapist will assess the width, depth, and tension of the linea alba (the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles) at multiple points. The assessment determines whether the separation is within normal limits or requires specific rehabilitation, and guides your exercise programme to avoid movements that may worsen the gap.

Musculoskeletal Recovery

Beyond the pelvic floor and abdomen, your physiotherapist will assess your overall musculoskeletal recovery — including hip, lower back, and thoracic spine mobility, strength deficits in the glutes and lower limbs, and any joint pain or instability that has persisted after pregnancy. This broader assessment ensures that your recovery plan addresses the whole picture, not just the obvious areas.

Who Should Have a Mummy MOT

The Mummy MOT is recommended for all women after childbirth, regardless of how you feel. Many postnatal issues — particularly pelvic floor weakness and diastasis recti — can be present without obvious symptoms.

When to Book

• After a vaginal delivery: From six weeks postpartum, once your GP or midwife has given the all-clear at your postnatal check
• After a caesarean section: From eight to ten weeks postpartum, allowing adequate healing time for your surgical wound
• If you had your baby months or years ago: There is no upper time limit for a Mummy MOT. Women benefit from the assessment whether they are 8 weeks or 8 years postnatal. It is never too late to understand how your body has recovered and to begin targeted rehabilitation

Particular Benefits For

• Women experiencing urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising
• Women who feel a heaviness, bulging, or dragging sensation in the pelvic area
• Women with persistent lower back pain or pelvic girdle pain after childbirth
• Women who want to return to running, the gym, or sport but are unsure if their body is ready
• Women who notice a gap or doming along the midline of their abdomen
• Women who simply want reassurance that their body is recovering well

What Happens After Your Mummy MOT

The assessment findings are discussed with you in full, and your physiotherapist will develop a personalised recovery plan. Depending on your results, this may include:

• Clinical Pilates 1:1 — Physiotherapist-prescribed, individualised Pilates targeting your specific deficits: core stability, pelvic floor coordination, strength, and functional movement. Prescribed based on your assessment findings, not a generic class programme.
• Pre & Postnatal Pilates 1:1 — Specialist one-to-one Pilates with a women's health physiotherapist, focusing on rebuilding strength, addressing diastasis recti, and restoring movement confidence at your own pace.
• PelviPower Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation — If your pelvic floor assessment identifies significant weakness, PelviPower uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to deliver 25,000 supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session — a non-invasive, fully clothed treatment that accelerates pelvic floor strengthening.
• Targeted Physiotherapy — Manual therapy, exercise prescription, and rehabilitation for any musculoskeletal issues identified during your assessment, such as back pain, pelvic girdle pain, or hip dysfunction.

Your recovery plan is not a fixed prescription — it evolves as you progress, with regular reassessment to ensure you are on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to my Mummy MOT?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows your physiotherapist to observe your posture and movement. Leggings and a vest top or sports bra are ideal. You will not need to undress for the assessment.

Can I bring my baby to the appointment?

Yes. We understand that arranging childcare for a newborn is not always possible, and your baby is welcome in the treatment room. The assessment can be adapted around feeding and settling as needed.

How long does the assessment take?

A Mummy MOT appointment at Sport Dimensions typically lasts 60 minutes. This allows sufficient time for a thorough assessment of all areas, discussion of findings, and development of your recovery plan.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book directly with Sport Dimensions without a referral. However, we recommend waiting until after your six-week (vaginal birth) or eight-to-ten-week (caesarean) postnatal check with your GP or midwife before booking.

Is the Mummy MOT only for recent births?

No. While the assessment is most commonly performed in the early postnatal period, it is valuable at any stage after childbirth. Women who had their babies years ago can still benefit — particularly if they experience ongoing symptoms or have never had their pelvic floor and abdominal recovery formally assessed.

What if the assessment finds a problem?

If your assessment identifies areas requiring rehabilitation, your physiotherapist will explain the findings clearly and recommend a targeted recovery plan. At Sport Dimensions, you have access to a full range of postnatal treatments — Clinical Pilates, Pre & Postnatal Pilates, PelviPower, and specialist physiotherapy — all under one roof, delivered by the same clinical team who assessed you.

How is the Mummy MOT different from my six-week GP check?

Your six-week postnatal check with your GP is a general health review covering your physical and mental wellbeing, contraception, and baby's development. It does not include a detailed musculoskeletal or pelvic floor assessment. The Mummy MOT is a specialist physical assessment conducted by a trained physiotherapist, providing the clinical detail needed to guide your recovery safely and effectively.

Will I need follow-up appointments?

The Mummy MOT itself is a single assessment appointment. Follow-up treatment sessions depend on your findings — some women need only reassurance and a home exercise programme, while others benefit from a course of Clinical Pilates, PelviPower, or physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist will recommend the most appropriate next steps based on your individual results.

Supporting Your Recovery

• Be patient with your body — Recovery after childbirth takes time, and every woman's journey is different. Comparing your recovery to others is unhelpful. Focus on your own progress and trust the guidance from your assessment.
• Start with the basics — Before returning to high-impact exercise, running, or heavy lifting, ensure your pelvic floor and core are functioning well. Your Mummy MOT will tell you exactly where you stand and when it is safe to progress.
• Complete your prescribed exercises — If your physiotherapist prescribes a home exercise programme following your assessment, consistency is key. Even 10–15 minutes daily can make a significant difference to your recovery.
• Listen to your body — Leaking, heaviness, pain, or a feeling of pressure during exercise are signals that your body is not ready for that level of activity. Report these symptoms to your physiotherapist so your programme can be adjusted.
• Stay active within your limits — Walking with your baby is excellent postnatal exercise. Gentle movement supports recovery without placing excessive strain on healing tissues.
• Prioritise rest when possible — Sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion slow recovery. Accept help when it is offered, and rest when your baby sleeps — your body heals faster when it is not running on empty.