Becoming a mother is a profound journey—often joyful, sometimes overwhelming, and always life-changing. Between sleepless nights, changing routines, and emotional ups and downs, it’s natural for new mums to feel stretched thin. At The Vale Practice, we recognise the importance of supporting mothers during this unique time, with thoughtful care that takes both body and mind into account.

Putting Mothers First

Motherhood touches every aspect of a person’s wellbeing. It can bring physical strain, emotional shifts, and a sense of identity that’s constantly evolving. To support women through this, The Vale Practice offers services designed to provide space, understanding, and guidance through the early months and beyond.

Our counselling services offer a safe and non-judgemental environment to talk through the emotional side of motherhood—whether that’s managing feelings of anxiety, low mood, or simply making sense of the many changes taking place. Speaking to someone impartial can help bring clarity and relief during a time when life can feel particularly full.

We also offer general wellbeing advice, including support around rest, recovery, and sustainable self-care strategies that can help mothers regain a sense of stability and confidence at their own pace.

Postnatal Recovery and the Mummy MOT

After giving birth, it’s common for women to experience physical changes that aren’t always easy to talk about—such as pelvic floor weakness, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), or back and joint discomfort. These issues can affect daily comfort, movement, and confidence over time.

The Mummy MOT® is a postnatal check designed to explore how your body is recovering after birth. Delivered by a qualified practitioner such as Nagma Chaudhry, it includes a full assessment of posture, abdominal muscles, pelvic floor function, and core stability. The goal is to understand how your body has changed, and whether there may be areas that could benefit from additional support.

If needed, this check may lead to suggestions for exercises, movement advice, or onward referral—always tailored to your specific situation. For many, this can help make sense of lingering symptoms and support gradual recovery.

Understanding Osteopathy in Postnatal Care

Osteopathy can be a useful part of recovery after pregnancy and childbirth. Our osteopaths work with the body’s structure—particularly muscles, joints, and the spine—to explore patterns of tension, imbalance, or discomfort that may have developed during pregnancy or while caring for a newborn.

Treatment is always based on individual assessment and may involve gentle manual techniques aimed at easing discomfort and supporting better movement. For some mothers, osteopathy may be helpful for common postnatal concerns such as pelvic or lower back discomfort, shoulder tension from feeding or carrying, or postural fatigue.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and we always recommend speaking with a practitioner to see if osteopathy may be appropriate for your needs.

When You’re Ready, We’re Here

Early motherhood can be both beautiful and demanding—and no two journeys are the same. Whatever you may be experiencing, it’s okay to seek support. You don’t have to do it all on your own.