Women’s & Pelvic Health Physio Riverland

28/08/2025

❤️Today is Red Nose Day, we are wearing our tees in honour of baby fletch, the angel babies that we never got to meet & the other 9 babies & young children that die suddenly and unexpectedly across Australia everyday!

The red nose foundation helps to fund vital research, advocate and support families experiencing this devastating loss.

Please consider donating to such an important charity, to save little lives and support bereaved families!

https://fundraising.rednose.org.au/fundraisers/fletcharnoldpannell/in-memory-of-fletch-arnold-pannell

21/08/2025

Introducing our NEW PHYSIO EIMEAR!

Eimear is a dedicated Physiotherapist from Ireland, with over 8 years of experience and advanced skills in the area musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. Eimear moved to Australia in 2023, which has allowed her to explore and dive deeper into pelvic health, an area of physio she is very passionate about.

Over the past 2 years Eimear has completed further training in the area of Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic health, completing her level 1 and 2 courses through the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA). Prior to relocating to the Riverland Eimaear also completed a mentorship with a highly experienced Pelvic Health Physio in Sydney.

Eimear is very excited to share her knowledge, skills and experience within the areas of women’s and pelvic health here in the Riverland.

You will also find Eimear teaching reformer and mat pilates classes .co in Renmark. Outside of work, Eimear loves running, travelling around our beautiful country, exploring the wine regions and most importantly spending time with friends.

Eimear will be offering after hours appointments commencing on a Tuesday the 26th of August.

If you would like to book an appointment with Eimear, head to our bookings page on our website or click the link below ⤵️

https://www.womenspelvichealthphysio.com.au/book-an-appointment

We look forward to having Eimear be a part of our specialised women’s and pelvic health team here in Renmark.

13/08/2025

What to do if you experience ductal narrowing (ie plugging/block ducts or inflammatory mastitis when travelling!

1. Continue breastfeeding on demand from the affected side while addressing inflammation and potential infection (do not attempt to empty breast or pump to empty).

➡️ Level of evidence 2-3.

2. Always pack panadol & anti-inflammatories, start taking as soon as you notice symptoms and continue regularly to help manage pain and inflammation.

➡️ Level of evidence 1-3.

3. Start gentle lymphatic drainage massage techniques | focus on stroking from ni**le towards armpit (Avoid deep tissue massage as this can damage your milk ducts) > I often do this in a warm shower which feels good and often it’s the only place I am alone!

➡️ Level of evidence 1-2

4. Apply ice or cold pack to the affected area every hour if you find that feels good and you have access to this.

➡️ Level of evidence 1-3.

5. Consider taking a probiotic! I recommend starting before you go on your trip and continue when you get home. We love Qiara pregnancy and breastfeeding probiotic, don’t forget to pack them!

➡️ Level of evidence 1-2.

If your symptoms do not improve in 24-48 hours even after implementing the self management strategies above consider seeking medical care. ⤵️

Depending on your accessibility see if you can seek care from a women’s health physio with access to therapeutic ultrasound

➡️ level of evidence 2-3!

⚡️ If you have signs of a bacterial infection persisting (fever, severe pain) you should see a GP or present to your local emergency to obtain a thorough assessment as your may require antibiotics (Level of evidence 2).

🌟Tip: Do not neglect the other breast, continue feeding each side as normal on demand.

I hope these tips help other mamas planning or hoping travel when breastfeeding little ones! x
Reference: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022

https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf

15/05/2025

These two products the OBSTETRIC TENS MACHINE & BIRTH COMB honestly saved me during my birth with Avery! 🤰

I experienced excruciating amounts of back pain during labour none of which any amount of epidural was going to help unfortunately (I tried trust me). Also tried gas but hated that, made me feel dizzy almost immediately.

My back pain was all due to Avery’s position she was OT (occiput transverse), her back is was positioned sideways to my side during labor. Putting pressure on my spine! This is also the case if your baby is positioned OP (occiput posterior) where baby’s spine is facing mums spine.

The TENS machine you can place over the painful area and use the boost button during contractions, in the end my boost button was on continuously as my contractions felt like they were on top of each other!

🌟 The birth comb I found as a great distraction something to squeeze/ during contractions and create another sensory input away from my back pain!

I would highly recommend grabbing yourself a birth comb they are super cheap and take up no room in your hospital bag! We sell these birth combs.
Also hire yourself a TENS machine to have as a pain management option in my case labouring with both my daughters I had no idea going in the level of back pain I was about to experience.

🌟 TENS machines can also be hired through our clinic, once returned you receive $50 back from your original hire costs.

To find out more click on the link below ⤵️
https://www.womenspelvichealthphysio.com.au/store/obstetric-tens-hire

I hope this information can help some future mama’s manage their pain better during labour!

11/05/2025

Congratulations to the winner of our mother’s day health & wellness giveaway….

🩷 🩷

Happy Mother’s Day & we hope enjoy your prizes 💝

Please check your inbox 😘

Thank you to everyone who entered & for your ongoing support of our small businesses here in Riverland.


co

riverland

21/04/2025

So happy that we could contribute towards the parliamentary enquiry into endometriosis care in a bid to have more services for women in rural areas 🤞

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-21/regional-women-cannot-access-endometriosis-pelvic-pain-clinics/105173808?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Lucy Savage has to drive 450 kilometres multiple times a month to access specialised care — a reality for many women living with endometriosis and chronic gynaecological conditions around the country.

17/03/2025

March is Pregnancy after loss awareness month 🌈

From someone that has experienced recurrent loss , I can say that pregnancy after loss is the happiest & scariest time of your life, almost like a mind game, where you would think that after the first trimester your anxiety disappears. I can tell you it does not!

The anxiety & stress during first trimester is crazy, second guessing yourself if your symptoms suddenly disappear, counting down the days until that next scan or appointment you hear babies heart beat, with constant fear that something is wrong, fearful or the worst because you have been there before, for me over and over again.

For me it wasn’t until after my 20 week scan that my anxiety reduced, but even then I had an anterior placenta so took a bit longer to feel regular movement. Everynight I would eat something sweet or cold to feel my baby move for reassurance. Right up until the days I gave birth, every morning laying in bed feeling her roll, kick, hiccup or even a little shudder. Once I came to hospital for regular monitoring before the birth it was like a wave of relief, I just wanted to meet my baby.

Things that helped me get through included:

💫 Fortnightly scans in first trimester
💫 taking the time to stop and rest from our busy days so I could focus on babies movement
💫 drinking something cold or eating icecream and making sure I could feel at least x 10 movements within the hour every night after 20-24weeks
💫 Having a supportive OB who I could speak to for reassurance & guidance regularly.

I know there are so many women out there that would resonate with my words, I hope in some way this helps, knowing you are not going crazy, but also knowing how to navigate the journey of pregnancy after loss.

For more support is a great place to reach out to.

Xx

14/03/2025

My top 10 recommendation’s to help your recovery after experiencing my 3rd vaginal birth 💞

Swipe ➡️ or scroll down to read ⬇️

1. Prioritising rest for the first 5 days (minimum) and lying flat 2-3 x per day for at least 10mins.

2. Invest in good quality ice packs so you can feel them through a maternity pad onto your peri. The ice packs are amazing, & also re-freeze super quick.

3. Wear some mild to moderate compression from day 0 until you can comfortable put on a higher level of compression (day5-7 or earlier if comfortable). I loved the postpartum high waisted seamless briefs, the ice pack holder also another game changer!

4. Wear a higher level of compression postnatal garment for the first 8 weeks. I started wearing mine day 6 during the day only. & both great brands.

5. Time your wee’s! It’s very common to have decreased bladder sensation after birth, especially if you have had a catheter. So set a timer on your phone and make sure you empty at least every 3 hours.

6. To avoid constipation post birth, especially if you have had any form of pain relief, start stool softeners straight away (request from midwife) + if you haven’t opened your bowels in 3 days you might need laxatives to unplug & get things going! AVOID STRAINING!

7. Take REGULAR pain relief & anti inflammatories, my afterbirth pains were much worse 3rd time round and my uterus was quite sore for a number of days after giving birth.

8. Drink plenty of water all day/night, add Hydramama for extra nutrients.

9. Start pelvic floor exercises day 1!

10. Start small slow walks in the first week after birth. If you feel any heaviness, pain or incontinence reduce the length of your walks.

Please remember everyone has a different birth/recovery experience, these tips are just a guide based on my births, but I hope they are helpful for future mama’s to be! X

06/03/2025

Our precious baby is here ‘Avery Grace Eske’ 💞🌈🕊️

05.03.2025 • 12.31pm • 3730g (8 pounds) •53cm

‘Avery grace’ you have healed our hearts, we are so incredibly lucky & blessed to have you in our lives.

Our hearts now bursting with love for our beautiful baby girl, a little sister for Riley & Joey 💗

13/02/2025

Introducing the birth comb by 💖

A great natural pain and stress relief option for all types of birth, induction, belly, water, home. or hospital. It is even great for mamas who are planning an epidural to help with early labour, and final stages of your labour.

How to use?

Hold the comb with the teeth placed in your palm at the base of your fingers, and squeeze as a surge starts and release as your surge does for a natural pain relief.

During a caesarean the comb can be squeezed to aid as a distraction in theatre.

To help initiate labour by stimulating acupressure point (LI4)

How does it work?

The mama’s birth comb works by combining acupressure and initiating what is known as the ‘gate control theory’., which believes that when stimuli such the acupressure created by the comb is created the brain cannot fully process ‘pain’ from another area of the body.

Studies have shown stimulation of acupressure point (LI4) saw mamas report lower pain scores and they had shorter labours!

22/01/2025

💛 The first 6 weeks 💛

Whether you are a new mum, or you already have older children, the first 6 weeks after having a baby can be such a challenging but also incredibly joyous time. Its often easy to put yourself last, as you are focusing on feeding and nurturing your new little bundle.

These are our top 🔟 tips we recommend to our post partum mummas to help optimise their first 6 weeks post birth.

👉🏼 Ladies save this post for when you need it!

For more tailored advice for you, birth preparation advice & pelvic floor assessment prior to birth we always recommend booking an appointment during your pregnancy.

🙋🏼‍♀️ Please reach out if you have further questions or need help if those early days, a reminder you do not need to wait until 6 weeks postpartum for a an appointment with a womens health physio!

07/01/2025

Very exciting news for all our Renmark clientele that may have already been too Riverland Balanced Nutrition or might benefit from a review with a qualified dietitian!

Exciting News! Nutrition Appointments Now in Renmark

I’m thrilled to announce that in 2025, I’m trialling a clinic at the Renmark Medical Clinic to make it easier for clients in the Renmark area to access dietitian services!

🌟 First clinic date: Tuesday, 4th February
🌟 Limited availability

If this trial is a success, I’ll look at offering more dates. So, if you’re in Renmark and need nutrition advice tailored to your health goals, now’s the perfect time to book!

Contact me today to secure your spot, or book online via the website.