Pregnancy & Postpartum Care
in Inner West of Sydney
Embrace.
It’s a different experience.
Congratulations Mama for getting here. It can be quite the journey.
At Papaya, we are committed to providing comprehensive and integrative care to take care of you from first trimester through to 6 months postpartum.
With that in mind, we created our Embrace Program which is a well rounded and holistic approach to pregnancy care, designed by women’s health physiotherapists, midwives, and naturopaths to tackle all aspects of health.
You can engage our care at any stage of your gestation. We understand life is busy, every pregnancy is different. Embrace is a structured way to guide your appointment bookings, to have an empowered and informed birth. It’s created to provide the care and accountability needed for most mums we see. It is also flexible and you can enter or exit when you need.
We treat each relationship like a partnership. When you partner with our pregnancy and post-partum clinic, our whole team is there for you from the first trimester till birth and beyond. Your musculoskeletal, pelvic floor, nutritional health are taken care of, and we work closely with your midwife, GP, and Obstetrician to be part of your care team in this beautiful time.
Our Approach
The Embrace Framework
A video by Winnie Wu, our Founder and Women’s Health Physiotherapist, explaining the components our protocols in detail.
Winnie Wu is a qualified physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and is at the forefront of the Embrace Program. Her passion and commitment to women’s health led her to raise the standards of private practice and effectively address the unique needs of women at all different stages of life. Creating the Embrace Program was the natural step forward in Winnie’s commitment, and Papaya Clinic is proud to offer such a nurturing, empowering, and groundbreaking care program for pregnant and postpartum women.
Please click to open our Framework down below and watch the video for a full understanding of our model of care.
Papaya Mama Planner
To accompany our Embrace Program, our team created the Mama Planner and it’s free to download.
Inside it detailed all the appointments we recommend at each trimester, from physiotherapy, to midwifery and obstetrics to naturopathy and doulas.
This is to ensure all women are make informed choices design their journey to health in this beautiful time.
Our physios help expectant mothers with these common symptoms…
Pelvic girdle pain
Pubic symphysis pain
Lower back pain
Urinary incontinence
Increased pelvic tension
Pain with intercourse
Constipation and straining
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Our Naturopaths and Chinese Medicine Doctor help with these common symptoms…
Energy deficiency and fatigue
Poor circulation
Gut health
Postpartum depletion
Constipation and Bowel dysfunctions
Birth stimulation
Lactation nourishment
Hormonal imbalance
Our Women’s Health Physiotherapists, Naturopaths and TCM work as a team to ensure you are getting what you need, and feel empowered throughout your time with us.
Over 500 women have been through our Embrace Pregnancy and Postpartum care in our sister clinic in Leichhardt.
We are thrilled to bring this level of support to our Newtown community.
What to expect when you book a consultation?
1
Getting to know you
During your initial session, we will truly understand your unique story and concerns. We take time to delve into various aspects, such as obstetric history, sexual background, physical activity and musculoskeletal health and pelvic floor function.
We understand these questions are of a personal nature. Every piece of information you provide is crucial for us to provide the best possible treatment and support.
2
Pelvic Floor and
Functional Assessment
To accurately assess your pelvic floor function, we may conduct an internal vaginal examination.
During this examination, we carefully evaluate pelvic floor tonicity, activation of superficial and deep pelvic floor muscles, strength, touch sensitivity, and assess for any prolapse symptoms. Your comfort and dignity are of utmost importance to us throughout this process.
We might also use diagnostic ultrasound during the session.
3
Peace of Mind
Following the assessment, we will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your condition and develop a personalised treatment plan to manage your symptoms.
Have peace of mind that we follow a structured approach (Embrace Guideline) to care, and will do everything we can to ensure you have a smooth and joyful pregnancy.
Book an appointment
For all new mamas, please book an Initial Physiotherapy Appointment with our Women’s Health Physio so we can start creating a healthcare treatment plan to help you kickstart your health journey.
Any questions, please see our FAQ page!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pregnancy affect gut health?
Pregnancy can absolutely impact gut health, potentially causing additional discomfort beyond what you may already be experiencing during pregnancy. Gut issues include bloating, abdominal pain, gas, constipation, and diarrhoea, and can occur from pregnancy hormone changes. Hormone changes that occur during pregnancy include a rise in estrogen and progesterone, which can alter gut function and microbiome composition, leading to increased vulnerability in the gastrointestinal system.
Our Naturopaths and acupuncturists can help manage gut issues you, like many others, may experience during pregnancy. Through natural methods and a holistic approach, we can provide a tailored plan for you to follow, helping to improve your gut health during pregnancy.
Is it common to experience painful intercourse postpartum?
Yes, painful intercourse is common after giving birth, and is in fact, one of the main symptoms we treat for mums. Common causes of painful intercourse postpartum may include a dip in estrogen affecting tissue health, heightened sensitivity from labour, which results in stinging and burning pain with touch, and an overactive pelvic floor, which now becomes harder to relax post labour.
Painful intercourse affects 45% of women after three months postpartum, and 43% of women report pain at six months postpartum. While it is common, painful intercourse six months postpartum is not considered “normal” and can be treated with physiotherapy.
On average, it is recommended to see a pelvic health physio and their GP for an overall screen and pelvic floor check before having intercourse. As everyone heals at a different pace, health professionals will assess general healing and recovery from birth-related issues, such as vaginal tears. Our physiotherapists will assess your healing and pelvic floor recovery postpartum to provide tailored therapy and exercises, helping to work through any pain or discomfort you may have during intercourse.
What happens when my hormones are out of balance during pregnancy?
Balanced hormones are a crucial part of maintaining your and your baby’s health during pregnancy. When hormones are out of balance during pregnancy, it can cause bloating, indigestion, lactation issues, energy depletion, poor absorption of nutrients, and postpartum depression.
During our Embrace Program, our team of Naturopaths, acupuncturists, and physiotherapists has the experience and knowledge to identify the root cause of these hormone imbalances and provide the necessary nutrients and strategies to help balance your hormones, giving you and your baby the best chance of a healthy pregnancy.