Your first appointment is centred around your story. We take time to understand your symptoms, your lifestyle, your wellbeing, and what you want to achieve.

Your assessment may include:

• A wholebody movement assessment

• Pelvic health screening

• Gentle palpation or functional tests

• Discussion around bladder, bowel, sexual health, and abdominal function

Please come dressed in something comfortable. If you prefer to stay more covered, feel free to bring shorts or a vest top so we can assess movement while helping you feel safe and supported.

It’s very common for there to be a lot to cover and discuss so it’s not problem if you first session is all discussion, mapping, screening and planning. We take it at your pace and work to you needs. 

A pelvic floor examination is often an important part of a complete pelvic health assessment, giving us the most accurate picture of your pelvic floor strength, coordination, and support.

But YOU are always in control. You never have to have an internal examination.

If internal assessment isn’t right for you—whether due to comfort, trauma history, cultural reasons, or simply personal preference—we can complete an externalonly pelvic floor assessment. This still provides valuable insight and helps us tailor your treatment plan.

Assessments should never hurt.

We work at your pace, with constant checkins and full consent at every stage. We adapt our approach based on:

• Your comfort

• Previous medical or personal experiences

• History or unwanted touch, hurt or traumatic experiences. 

• Anxiety or uncertainty

• Physical sensitivity

If anything doesn’t feel right, we pause or stop immediately. You are in complete control.

Yes, pelvic floor examinations can be performed during menstruation.

However, we generally recommend avoiding internal assessment during a period because:

• You may feel more sensitive or crampy

• It can be harder to fully assess skin and tissue health

Spotting at the end or beginning of your period is fine. If you’re comfortable to proceed, we absolutely can. 

If you’d prefer to wait, we’ll adapt your session so you still make meaningful progress.

Yes—babies and children are very welcome. We understand that childcare isn’t always available, and we don’t want that to be a barrier to your pelvic health.

A few things to consider:

• If you’re having treatment or an internal pelvic floor assessment, you may feel more comfortable attending alone so you can fully focus on yourself.

• Young children may feel unsure about someone touching their parent, but we will always adapt sensitively.

• If childcare is a challenge, please still come—we will work with you so you can move forward.

We encourage you to bring a snack, drink, or some distraction like a favourite toy or colouring. We’ll set up a cosy little area for them while you have your assessment.

We may offer to hold or comfort your baby, this is a gesture of goodwill and does not have to be accepted. 

What is a pessary for and would it work for me? 

A vaginal pessary is a support for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) including the bladder, bowel or uterus. These can help support the organs when the supporting tissue has lengthened and become weakened. This may also impact bladder control and reduce leakage. 

A pessary is inserted into the vagina and supports the walls of the vagina giving the organs the support they lack. 

This can reduce or eliminate symptoms like dragging, heaviness, bulging or pressure in the vagina, lower abdomen or even back pain related to POP. 

Your clinician will talk through your symptoms, assess your pelvic floor function, assess your prolapse with a speculum examination, and guide you through pessary options that best support you prolapse or pelvic floor concerns. Most commonly Ring and Cube pessaries are fitted but if you need a different type this can be discussed in your assessment. Our goal is to ge the right type and fit for you. 

After this is complete, if a pessary is selected you will have it fitted and try it out. We will ask you to perform activities like a squat or jump as per your activities. 

If successful we will give you the choice if to wear your pessary immediately and, in most circumstances, we teach you to insert and remove your pessary. 

Your clinician will show you how to safely remove, clean, and reinsert your pessary. Most pessaries are washed with mild soap and water, left to air dry before storing if not reinserting. 

This depends on your type of pessary and your symptoms. Some pessaries you insert for shorter period (hours or a day), whilst other can stay in for weeks or months at a time. 

Part of your fitting is exploring what you needs are as well as how to manage you pessary so you get the best plan in place. 

Some people experience mild spotting or increased discharge when they first start using a pessary. Your clinician will explain what’s normal and what to look out for like changes in smell, colour or bleeding. Should these occur, you should remove your pessary if able and contact your GP for a swab and review. We ask you notify your physiotherapist of any issues you are experiencing. 

A wellfitted pessary should stay comfortably in place. In your session we will show you how to insert and adjust your pessary. If it slips or feels like it’s moving significantly, let us know—we arrange a call or face to face appointment if needed. 

Yes, some pessaries can be used during menstruation, although some people prefer to remove them for comfort. This can be discussed with you physiotherapist. 

Absolutely- for a lot of women this is the exact reason they chose a pessary. To reduce symptoms, offload pressure and give reassurance so they can lead an active lifestyle, investing in their whole health and wellbeing. 

Most pessaries should be removed before penetrative sex but this is not necessarily required and may be a preference. Your clinician will advise you based on the type of pessary you have.

Yes—pessaries can be used safely alongside an intrauterine device with the strings made shorter by your GP or healthcare provider. 

It’s helpful to bring:

• Any relevant medical letters or reports if not already added to your profile

• A list of your questions and goals- thinking about this before means we can meet your needs better. 

• Shorts or a vest if you prefer to be more covered during movement assessment

• Your baby’s essentials if they’re coming with you