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Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Physiotherapy – Women

Physiotherapists can help women cope with physical changes during their pregnancy and up to three months after the birth of their baby. Advice is provided on back care, pelvic floor exercise, relaxation, skills for labour and postnatal rehabilitation.

The Physiotherapists in Allied Health offer services in the areas of pregnancy and gynaecology care.

Pregnancy Care

Physiotherapists offer information, treatment and strategies to help women cope with physical changes during their pregnancy and up to three months after the birth of their baby.

We provide antenatal education for women and their support people on topics including:

  • back care
  • pelvic floor exercise
  • relaxation techniques
  • skills for labour and postnatal rehabilitation

Treatment for selected musculoskeletal and other conditions associated with pregnancy (including carpal tunnel syndrome, pelvic/back pain and incontinence) is available for inpatients and outpatients with a referral. Available equipment includes back and abdominal supports as well as TENS machines (for pain relief in labour).

Routine postnatal care includes pelvic floor recovery, appropriate abdominal exercises, back care and lifting advice, as well as guidelines for safe return to sport and exercise. The video 'Physiotherapy Advice to Help you Recover From Pregnancy and Birth' below, discusses routine postnatal care to help you recover physically after the birth of your baby.

Gynaecology Care

We provide outpatient treatment for gynaecological conditions including:

  • incontinence
  • prolapse
  • bladder and bowel retraining
  • pelvic pain

Gynaecological surgery patients receive pre-operative care from the physiotherapist in the pre-admission clinic. Post-operative care includes:

  • pelvic floor education
  • mobility advice
  • back care
  • general exercise/activity advice

Outpatient physiotherapy follow-up of inpatients is arranged as necessary.

How to access this service

Referrals are accepted from WCH medical or midwifery staff.

Hours

Weekdays 8.00am – 4.00pm

A limited weekend service is provided for inpatients (Saturday and Sunday mornings 8.30am – 12.00noon)

Location

1st Floor – Queen Victoria Building

Contact

Rose Green and Kate Phillips
Heads of Unit, Women's Physiotherapy
rose.green@sa.gov.au
& kate.phillips3@sa.gov.au

Wee-Ren Kong
A/Manager of Physiotherapy
weeren.kong@sa.gov.au

Phone

(08) 8161 7579

Fax

(08) 8161 7890

Mailing Address

Women's Physiotherapy
1st Floor Queen Victoria Building
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia 5006