Clevedon Community Hospital North Somerset NHS (Midwifery Physiotherapy)

 

I spent the day at the Clevedon Community Hospital North Somerset NHS, where I shadowed a physiotherapy that specialised in midwifery physiotherapy. I was not sure at first what to expect, as I did not know much about pregnancy. However it became very clear to me that physiotherapy is key in the course of pregnancy as it can affect a woman’s body substantially, making movement inhibited sometimes, 

Firstly I sat in on the first class of the day which consisted of several heavily pregnant women. The physio went through various different breathing techniques which was fun to join in with, as they all practised together. The breathing techniques were important as when giving birth, it is vital to never stop breathing or you are depriving your body from oxygen. The physio then explained a variety of different birth positions; it is almost possible to give birth in any position that is most comfortable as long as the spine and head is controlled and in the correct position. I found this class incredibly enjoyable as it was interactive and thoroughly interesting, to discover how physiotherapy can be linked with such a fascinating thing such as child birth.

I then joined another group to observe and the physio was giving various tips and pointers for rehabilitation of the body after birth. The physio explained that their body’s would take a while to recover and then the physio showed them some exercises that would gently help them get back to being able to exercise, as it would be unhealthy and possibly dangerous to the body to go straight back into intense exercise after child birth.

I am incredibly lucky to have had this experience of observing such a specialised type of physiotherapy in a thoroughly enjoyable working environment. It has inspired me to discover and research different other types of physiotherapy that I could possibly specialise in, in the future.