Client story

At Her Women’s Health, one of the most meaningful parts of our work is walking alongside women through pregnancy, birth, and recovery. Every now and then, a story comes along that reminds us exactly why this work matters so much.

This is one of those stories.

The First

After her first baby, this mother came to see me with ongoing pain from a third-degree tear. The scar caused discomfort during sex and made emptying her bowels painful and stressful. Together, we began gentle scar desensitisation and perineal massage techniques to support healing and help her reconnect with the area without fear.

The Second

When she fell pregnant again, she returned for birth preparation. Her goal was clear: have a second natural birth and minimise her risk of tearing again. Our sessions focused on practical, evidence-based tools tailored to her history:

• Positions that assist with perineal stretch during birth
  
• Perineal massage
  
• Scar pain desensitisation techniques
  
• Breathing strategies to slow the crowning phase and give the perineum more time to expand
  

The outcome? A small second-degree tear that required sutures but caused no significant scar pain after birth.

The Third

Last month, this incredible woman welcomed her third baby. She repeated the same birth preparation strategies, stayed consistent, and trusted her body.

The result this time was extraordinary.

No tearing.
No stitches.
No ongoing scar pain.

After letting myself settle into this news, and reflect on this woman’s journey, I was reminded of a couple of things. 

Birth preparation is not about controlling the birth itself. It is about learning your body, understanding how to support your pelvic floor, and giving yourself every opportunity for a smoother, more comfortable experience. For women with previous tearing, trauma, or fear, preparation becomes even more powerful.

Every woman’s body is different. Every birth is different. But supportive education, understanding your physiology, and practising the right techniques truly can change outcomes.

If you’re pregnant on the Sunshine Coast and want to prepare your pelvic floor for birth, reduce your risk of tearing, and feel confident in your body’s ability to birth, you are welcome to reach out or book in for birth preparation sessions.

You don’t have to walk into birth hopeful but unprepared.
You can walk in informed, grounded, and supported.

Do you want to book in for your birth preparation sessions with our women’s health physios?