The initial consultation is our chance to get to know each other.  My hope is to clearly understand your story and your goals, and to let you know how I can help.  You will also get to check me out and decide if I’d be a good fit for you or not. 

After listening to you, asking some questions, and taking some notes, I invite you to complete a physical evaluation (hands-on if we’re meeting in person and observational if we’re meeting virtually).  I may assess your alignment, breathing mechanics, abdominal wall/core function, whole body or specific movements, viscera, nervous system state, proprioception, sensation, myofascial system, pelvic floor function, or other things.

I may also ask you to compete some questionnaires that will offer further insight into your current physical and psychosocial functioning.  I explain what I find as we go along and how it may be relevant to your story. 

The consultation pulls all the puzzle pieces together and helps me begin to formulate a plan for care. After sharing my initial thoughts, recommendations and resources, I answer any questions on your mind and we decide on your next best step.

There is a lot packed into our 60 minutes together – and it goes by fast!  If you decide to continue with physiotherapy care from me, we will begin more formally with treatment at your following session.

Note – bodywork for birth sessions includes a review of your health/pregnancy concerns and experience to date; the session is primarily dedicated to as much hands-on time as possible.

Short answer:  No.

Long answer:  It is your body so you have the authority and autonomy to decide who gets to interact with it and in what way. 

I consider it a huge privilege and honour to work with women’s bodies and especially within the sacred region of the pelvis.  I work within the comfort level of my clients.  So no, you  never need to have an internal pelvic floor evaluation if you don’t want one. 

If I am seeing you in person I may offer an internal pelvic floor evaluation at some point.  And it may not be on the first, second, or even the third visit.  It depends entirely on why you are coming to see me, what your main concerns are, and if I sense an internal exam could offer additional information or value.

Before completing an internal pelvic floor evaluation, I review the process, the reasons, the benefits, the risks, and the alternatives with you.  And I answer any questions you have.  An internal exam is offered vaginally and/or rectally and is only completed if full informed consent has been given. 

In addition to verbal consent, I also look for something called embodied consent, meaning that I look for the “yes” from your body and nervous system. Ideally there would be congruency between your verbal consent and your embodied consent.  Sometimes if a client says yes to proceeding but I can see her body is saying no, then we will revisit the internal exam at another time. 

If we decide to proceed, then you would lay on physiotherapy table draped under a sheet. The internal exam is a clean technique using non-latex gloves and the pelvic floor muscles are accessed vaginally and/or rectally.  I explain the process step by step and most clients find it to be extremely informative.  The internal exam is gentle, slow, and should not be painful. It does not involve a speculum or stirrups.  Even after we begin an internal evaluation, you can change your mind at anytime. 

If you decline an internal exam, know that it’s totally fine! And rest assured that I am still able to effectively treat pelvic health conditions without one.  I have years of experience and a good understanding of the patterns that show up in the body through pelvic symptoms.  Additionally the pelvic floor is also greatly influenced by structures that surround and cross it. So we can treat the pelvic floor through those external structures and by taking a whole-body approach. 

Once you’ve booked your initial consultation, you’ll get an email with all the details. 

We can answer that question best after the initial consultation has been completed.

Some women have a one time consultation to simply get a second opinion. Others work with me for their entire childbearing year.  Your number of visits will depend on the physio path that you choose (self-directed care, 1:1 visits, or journeys).

Clients are responsible to pay for physiotherapy services out of pocket (by credit card, e-transfer, or cash). 

The Mama’s Physio does not offer direct billing and services are not covered through OHIP, WSIB, or auto accident insurance.

After payment has been received, you will receive a receipt by email which contains all the information that your insurance company requires to process a claim.

For specific questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance company directly.

Yes I do!  It can be a great option for many clients.  And it can be just as effective as in person care!

(I’ll let you in on a little secret: healing is an inside job – meaning that you have the inner resources within you to unleash healing potential within your body. What a grace! My job is to help you discover that. And that guidance is something I can offer in person or virtually!)  

Physio can be offered exclusively virtually, or as a hybrid with in-person care.  

Virtual physiotherapy is also super valuable if you live outside of the city, if you have a sick child at home, or if the weather is too poor to drive in.

*It may be recommended that some conditions or concerns be treated in person where hands-on care is necessary.  

How about now!? Lol.

Here’s how I see it: birth and body preparation is like getting ready for a wedding. There are some important things to do far in advance so that the weeks leading up to the wedding are smooth and non stressful. 

So I love working with women starting right from the first trimester to prepare their whole body to have a solid foundation for the rest of changes that will come in pregnancy.  Much of the first trimester work is done with a view to prevent problems from showing up in later pregnancy or at birth.  In the first trimester, I typically do not do any internal pelvic floor work, but there are a number of other important ways to support the body. 

If you’re past the 1st trimester, it’s all good!  Start physio whenever you’re ready. Many mamas begin in their 2nd trimester when they have a bit more energy.  If you’re hoping to be proactive, I suggest that you have an initial consultation by the time you’re 20 weeks pregnant.

No, it’s never too late.  In fact I work with some women for the first time while they’re in early labour (although I highly recommend coming in sooner, obvi)! 

Depending on how many sessions we can fit in before you go into labour, we may need to be super strategic about what we’re working on and focus our limited time on the #1 priority you have.

I’ve tried to craft a career where I’m doing what I’m good at, what I know, and what I love!  My area of expertise is pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, so I tailor my caseload to align with that. 

If you’re seeking care and are not in your childbearing season, or are looking for paediatric or male pelvic floor treatment or other subspecialties, I know many excellent pelvic and orthopaedic physiotherapists in London and Canada; and honestly globally.  So if you email me, I’d be happy to provide you with my referral list of therapists that I know personally and that I trust. 

In my books, mamas and babies are a package deal, so of course your little one is welcome!  The office space is most appropriate for babes in arms (not yet walking).  If your baby needs your attention, feel free to hold him or her while we work. You may also breastfeed, bring a few toys, or use my little baby swing.

Unfortunately the session is unable to be extended if your baby is fussy and takes time to settle.  

Some moms find it easier to focus on their body and get full value for their time if they arrange for childcare or bring a helper to their session.  

What ever works for you works for me! 

Yes, absolutely.  Pelvic physiotherapy doesn’t always have to involve internal pelvic floor treatment!  There is lots of work to do outside of the pelvic bowl. 

If you’re comfortable with internal work being done while you’re on your period, then we could certainly work intravaginally as it’s not a problem or contraindication.

This is a great question! And hey, we all start our learning journey somewhere!  

I’ve written a whole article about exactly what pelvic floor physiotherapy is so check it out and I hope it offers more clarity!