Mummy MOT vs Postnatal Recovery MOT: What's the Difference?
posted 9th November 2026
The Mummy MOT vs the Postnatal Recovery MOT: What's the Difference?
Pregnancy and childbirth bring significant changes to the body, and recovery can look very different from one woman to another. While many women recover well, others experience ongoing symptoms such as pelvic discomfort, bladder or bowel changes, abdominal weakness and back or pelvic girdle pain.
Some of these symptoms are common, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with them.
The NHS offers a routine postnatal check, usually around 6–8 weeks after birth. However, this appointment is not intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of pelvic floor function, abdominal separation, movement and musculoskeletal recovery.
So, if you would like a more detailed understanding of how your body has recovered following pregnancy and birth, what are your options?
Do you need a postnatal assessment?
In short, a postnatal assessment can be valuable for any woman who wants to understand how her body has recovered following pregnancy and birth.
Motherhood places considerable physical demands on the body. From feeding and carrying your baby to lifting, bending and eventually returning to exercise, your body needs to adapt to a new set of everyday challenges.
A postnatal assessment provides an opportunity to identify areas that may need attention, understand any ongoing symptoms and receive advice on how to move forward safely.
The NHS offers a routine postnatal check, generally around 6–8 weeks after delivery. This provides an important opportunity to discuss your physical and emotional wellbeing, recovery, contraception and any concerns following birth.
Depending on your circumstances, the appointment may include discussions about bleeding, pain, stitches, breastfeeding, bladder or bowel symptoms and mental health.
However, it is not designed to be a comprehensive musculoskeletal or pelvic health assessment. It may not include a detailed evaluation of pelvic floor function, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), pelvic organ prolapse, posture, strength or functional movement.
These are areas that may benefit from further assessment, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms or are planning to return to more demanding physical activities.
Pregnancy and childbirth can influence the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, hips, spine and surrounding connective tissues. The effects will vary depending on your pregnancy, birth experience, recovery and individual circumstances.
This doesn't mean that something is necessarily wrong, but it does mean that your recovery deserves attention.
Four movements the postnatal body needs
Your core, pelvic floor, hips and spine work together to support everyday movement. Their function is important not only for bladder and bowel control and sexual health, but also for the physical demands of looking after a baby.
Regardless of your age, fitness level or previous exercise experience, motherhood introduces some fairly predictable physical challenges.
Here are four everyday movements worth considering during postnatal recovery:
1. Bending forwards
Think about putting on your shoes, brushing your teeth, dressing your baby or picking something up from the floor. Bending is something we do countless times throughout the day.
2. Moving from sitting to standing
Whether you are getting out of bed, standing up from the sofa or climbing the stairs, your body needs to coordinate your abdominal muscles, hips and legs to support these movements.
3. Lifting and carrying
Your baby is a little person who will gradually get heavier! Feeding, carrying, lifting and holding your baby for prolonged periods can place considerable demands on your arms, shoulders, back and core.
4. Reacting quickly and changing direction
As your baby grows into a curious toddler, you may find yourself moving quickly, reaching, turning, squatting and responding to unpredictable situations. Your body needs to be able to manage these movements with confidence.
This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights why postnatal recovery involves more than simply allowing time for tissues to heal.
Your delivery experience, whether vaginal or caesarean, any complications, perineal injuries and your individual recovery can all influence how comfortably you perform these activities.
Abdominal separation (diastasis recti), for example, may influence abdominal wall function and how you manage certain movements and physical loads.
A postnatal assessment can help identify areas that may benefit from further attention and guide your return to everyday activities and exercise.
Mummy MOT vs Postnatal Recovery MOT: What's the difference?
The Mummy MOT is a trademarked postnatal assessment. Practitioners wishing to offer the trademarked service must complete the relevant Mummy MOT training and meet its requirements.
The Mummy MOT website provides a directory of trained practitioners, making it easier to find someone offering the trademarked assessment.
The Postnatal Recovery MOT at Osteopathy West London is our own comprehensive postnatal health assessment. Although we do not offer the trademarked Mummy MOT, our pelvic health practitioners have completed Mummy MOT training and have a particular interest in osteopathy and women's health.
Both assessments aim to help women better understand their recovery following pregnancy and birth.
To help you decide which assessment may be right for you, here is a comparison of the two services:
| Mummy MOT | OWL Postnatal Recovery MOT | |
|---|---|---|
| Is it trademarked? | Yes | No |
| Comprehensive assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment duration | Approximately 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Detailed pregnancy and birth history | Yes | Yes |
| Pelvic girdle pain assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Abdominal separation assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Return-to-exercise advice | Yes | Yes |
| Pelvic floor assessment | Yes, including internal assessment where appropriate | Yes, including internal assessment where appropriate |
| Full-body musculoskeletal assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Personalised management plan | Practitioner dependent | Provided within 24 hours |
The main differences are the trademarked status of the Mummy MOT and how the individual practitioner delivers your findings and management plan.
At Osteopathy West London, we can offer an internal pelvic examination and treatment where clinically appropriate and with your informed consent. We also recognise when further investigation or referral is needed.
Our osteopathic and musculoskeletal expertise complements, rather than replaces, ongoing gynaecological, obstetric or specialist pelvic health care.
If you are unsure which assessment is right for you, you can book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our women's health practitioners.
What symptoms should you look out for?
At Osteopathy West London, we believe women should feel supported in understanding their bodies following pregnancy and birth.
Pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal separation and musculoskeletal pain can all affect quality of life. Some women experience symptoms immediately after birth, while others notice them months or even years later.
You may benefit from a Postnatal Recovery MOT if you:
- Experienced a complicated or prolonged labour, an instrumental delivery, significant perineal tearing or an episiotomy.
- Had a caesarean section and would like support understanding your abdominal recovery and pelvic health.
- Experience urinary leakage, urgency, frequent trips to the toilet or other changes in bladder function.
- Notice changes in bowel function, including urgency, difficulty controlling wind or bowel leakage.
- Experience a sensation of heaviness, pressure or dragging in your pelvis or vagina.
- Have discomfort during sex or other changes in sexual function.
- Experience ongoing pelvic girdle, hip or lower back pain following pregnancy.
- Want guidance on safely returning to the gym, running or your favourite sport.
- Feel that your abdominal muscles or core strength have not returned to how they felt before pregnancy.
What about caesarean births?
There is sometimes a misconception that having a caesarean section means you don't need to consider pelvic floor recovery.
However, pregnancy itself places considerable demands on the pelvic floor, regardless of how your baby is delivered.
A caesarean section is also major abdominal surgery, involving its own healing process and recovery considerations. The abdominal scar, surrounding tissues and abdominal wall function may all be relevant when assessing your recovery.
If you have had a caesarean, a postnatal assessment can help you understand your recovery and whether any additional support may be beneficial.
When should you book a Postnatal Recovery MOT?
A postnatal assessment is often considered from around 6–12 weeks after delivery, depending on your recovery and individual circumstances.
However, this is not a deadline. There is no cut-off point for seeking support.
Women regularly come to us months or even years after giving birth, having gradually become accustomed to symptoms that they may not have realised could be addressed.
If something is affecting your comfort, confidence or ability to enjoy everyday activities, it is worth having it assessed.
Postnatal Recovery at Osteopathy West London
At Osteopathy West London, we understand that every woman's pregnancy, birth experience and recovery are different.
Our approach to postnatal care combines a detailed understanding of your symptoms with an individualised musculoskeletal and pelvic health assessment.
Your appointment may include:
1. A detailed consultation
We will discuss your pregnancy, birth experience, medical history and current symptoms. We also want to understand how your recovery is affecting your everyday life and what you would like to achieve.
2. A physical and functional assessment
Depending on your presentation, we may assess your spinal and hip movement, abdominal wall function, strength, muscle tension, posture and movement patterns.
We will also consider how you manage everyday activities and any movements that aggravate your symptoms.
3. Pelvic floor assessment
Where clinically appropriate, an internal pelvic examination may be discussed to assess pelvic floor function. This is entirely optional and will only be undertaken with your informed consent.
A chaperone can be arranged if you would like one.
4. Individualised treatment and advice
Where we identify musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to your symptoms, treatment may include appropriate hands-on osteopathic techniques, medical acupuncture where suitable, movement advice and a personalised exercise programme.
We can also discuss abdominal wall recovery, scar considerations and appropriate progression towards exercise and physical activity.
5. Further support and referral
We recognise the importance of working alongside other healthcare professionals.
Where necessary, we will recommend further assessment or support from your GP, gynaecologist, pelvic health physiotherapist or another relevant specialist.
If you have undergone surgery, we will also take account of your procedure, recovery and any medical advice when discussing appropriate treatment.
Our aim is to help you feel heard, supported and better equipped to understand and manage the physical changes following pregnancy and birth.
You don't have to simply accept discomfort or changes in function as part of motherhood.
If you think you would benefit from out postnatal health services at Osteopathy west London, book your Postnatal Recovery MOT at Osteopathy West London, Ealing, or arrange a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether the assessment is right for you.
Sources
NHS Postnatal check
What is a Mummy MOT?
Pelvic floor dysfunction in postpartum women
NICE Guidelines
About Ana Freitas
Ana qualified with a Master's degree in Osteopathy from University College of Osteopathy (UCO). She has a particular interest in women's health and completed a two-year placement at the UCO Women's Health and Expectant Mothers Clinic.
Ana treats patients of all ages and gender, though has a particular interest in women's health. She has experience supporting women with a wide range of concerns, including pregnancy-related pain, chronic pelvic and abdominal pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis, adenomyosis and symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.