BIRTH PREPARATION
Feel ready for birth, not just informed
Preparing your body for birth is one of the most useful things you can do in pregnancy, and one of the most overlooked.
How it works
Our birth prep pathway was designed by Rachel Fitt, pelvic floor physiotherapist and mum of two. You can learn online in your own time, come in for a hands-on appointment, or both.
It has three steps, from pregnancy through to your recovery after birth.
Step 1: Learn
We recommend completing the online course before you come in. It covers:
Pelvic floor preparation
Birth preferences
Labour tools
Caesarean birth
Postpartum recovery
Step 2: Practise
A 60-minute in-clinic appointment from 30 weeks. We check your pelvic floor, practise pushing with real-time ultrasound so you can see what's happening, and guide you through perineal massage. Your partner is welcome.
Step 3: Recover
A postpartum check at 4 to 6 weeks: pelvic floor assessment, caesarean scar treatment if you need it, core rehab and a recovery plan.
The Fitt Physio Birth Prep Online Course
Self-paced | 6 modules plus a bonus | about 120 minutes | partners included
Rachel made this course using the latest evidence and her own experience of two planned caesareans. Do it at home, at your own pace.
This course is for you if:
You want to prepare your body for birth, wherever you live in Australia.
You’d like to learn at your own pace, from home, whenever suits you.
You want your partner to feel informed and part of it.
You’re planning a vaginal birth or a caesarean, or you want to be ready for either.
You’re seeing us in clinic and want to arrive already prepared.
$197: one-off purchase, 6 months access, partners included
Already purchased? Log in here
WHAT’S INSIDE
6 modules plus a bonus.
Each one builds on the last, from understanding your pelvic floor to making birth decisions with confidence.
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Where your pelvic floor is and its five jobs
How to contract it, and how to relax it, the skill that matters most for birth
What normal bladder and bowel habits look like in pregnancy
The signs of pelvic girdle pain, and when to get help
You'll leave with: a clear picture of your pelvic floor and your first relaxation exercise.
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How much your pelvic floor stretches in a vaginal birth
Perineal tears from first to fourth degree, and episiotomy
Levator avulsion, and how forceps and vacuum births compare
What the research says if you've had a severe tear before
You'll leave with: an understanding of your own risk factors, so Module 3 makes sense for you.
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Pelvic floor relaxation and training, and when to start
Perineal massage step by step, and whether an Epi-No suits you
Two ways to push: directed pushing and breathing your baby down
Positions for pushing, and why to ask for a warm compress
Encouraging your baby into a good position from 32 weeks, plus the Swiss ball and TENS
You'll leave with: a routine to practise in the weeks before birth, and a pushing approach to talk through with your care team.
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What first births in Australia look like, by the numbers
Induction: how it works, what to expect, what to ask
The BRAIN framework for decisions in labour
Your preferences for environment, pain relief, birth and after birth
Delayed cord clamping, the third stage, and when to go to hospital
A section for your support person
You'll leave with: everything you need to write your birth preferences.
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Who's in theatre and what happens, step by step
Caesarean birth preferences, including skin to skin and maternal-assisted caesarean
Recovery: the first 72 hours, going home, driving and lifting
Scar care and scar massage from 6 weeks
How a caesarean affects your pelvic floor, and when to return to exercise
You'll leave with: caesarean birth preferences and a realistic picture of recovery.
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Common pelvic floor symptoms after birth and the help available
Who should wait before starting pelvic floor exercises, and how to progress
Abdominal separation, crunches and compression
Breastfeeding, sexual health and support for birth trauma
Rest, walking and exercise from week 0 to 12 and beyond
Looking after your bladder and bowel
You'll leave with: a week by week guide to your first 12 weeks.
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APGAR score, Vitamin K options, heel prick test and hearing screen
You'll leave with: these decisions made before birth, so you can focus on your baby.
In-Clinic Birth Prep Assessment
60 minutes | From 30 weeks | Partners welcome
This is the hands-on part of your birth prep, where you put what you've learned into practice.
If you’re new to the clinic, please complete the online course before booking, so we can spend your appointment on the practical work.
What we cover:
Brief assessment of your individual pelvic floor function and relaxation capacity
Transperineal ultrasound assessment of pushing technique, using real-time ultrasound imaging so you can see your pelvic floor working and refine your technique with visual feedback
Perineal massage demonstration, with time for you and your partner to practise with our guidance
Epi-No guidance if appropriate
Any questions from your course or workshop answered in person
From $240. Privately billed at our comprehensive consultation rate. You may be able to claim a Medicare rebate with an eligible GP care plan, or claim through your private health extras.
Not sure if you're covered? Call us on 0416 059 370 or email admin@fittphysiotherapy.com.
BIRTH PREP BUNDLES
Birth Prep Education
Online course
$197
Full online course, 6 modules plus a bonus module, 6 month access, partners included
Save when you commit to the full pathway
Our bundles give you support from pregnancy right through to your recovery, for less than booking each part separately.
In-Clinic Assessment
In-clinic birth prep assessment with pelvic floor physiotherapist
From $240
60-minute in-clinic practical appointment from 30 weeks
Individualised advice on pelvic health risk factors
Transperineal ultrasound pushing technique assessment
Guided perineal massage
Birth Prep Bundle
Most popular
Online course + in-clinic appointment
$487 $397 Save from $40 to $90
Full online course, 6 modules plus a bonus module, 6 month access, partners included
60-minute in-clinic practical appointment from 30 weeks
Transperineal ultrasound pushing technique assessment
Guided perineal massage
Postpartum Assessment
Your birth prep doesn't stop when your baby arrives. A postpartum check at 4 to 6 weeks is the next step, whatever kind of birth you had.
What we assess:
Pelvic floor muscle function including strength, coordination and relaxation
Pelvic floor anatomy and pelvic organ prolapse risk factors
Perineal healing and scar tissue if applicable
Caesarean scar assessment and treatment from 6 weeks
Abdominal separation assessment
Core rehabilitation, where to start and how to progress safely
Return to exercise guidance tailored to your individual recovery
Bladder and bowel function
Any symptoms such as leaking, heaviness, pressure, pain
From $180, privately billed at our initial 45-minute consultation rate. Medicare rebate available with an eligible GP care plan. Private health extras accepted.
Whether your birth went to plan or nothing like it, your body deserves good care in the weeks after.
Why prepare with us?
Led by Rachel Fitt, our director, who has been through birth herself
Based on current evidence
Covers what many birth prep courses leave out: your pelvic floor, perineal preparation and postpartum recovery
Practical techniques you can use before, during and after labour
Australian statistics and resources
Online learning you can revisit any time during your access period
Our Mount Waverley team is here if you want hands-on support
Frequently Asked Questions
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From your second trimester onwards, but we recommend starting from around 20 weeks so you have time to implement what you learn. If you're booking the in-clinic assessment, aim for 30–35 weeks so you can put perineal massage and pushing techniques into practice before birth. It's never too early or too late to see us. Reach out if you're unsure.
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Yes. The course covers both vaginal birth and caesarean birth in depth. Module 5 is dedicated to caesarean birth, and the rest of the course covers the pelvic floor and recovery considerations that apply to all birth types. Rachel plans to release a dedicated caesarean birth course in 2027.
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You have 6 months access from the date of enrolment. Given that birth prep information is updated as evidence evolves, we set a 6-month window to ensure the content you're accessing reflects current best practice.
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Absolutely, they complement each other well. Hospital antenatal classes typically cover the general labour process, newborn care and breastfeeding. This course goes deeper on the pelvic floor and physio side of birth prep: pushing technique, perineal preparation, pain relief evidence, and postpartum recovery.
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The postpartum module and recovery guide are useful well after birth. If you're planning another baby, the course is just as useful the second time around.
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Fitt Physiotherapy is located in Mount Waverley, Melbourne. After purchasing the bundle, you'll receive a link to book your appointment online through our booking system. You can choose your preferred clinician and time.
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Your appointment is privately billed at our comprehensive consultation rate. You may be able to claim a Medicare rebate with an eligible GP care plan, or claim through your private health extras.
Not sure if you're covered? Call us on 0416 059 370 or email admin@fittphysiotherapy.com.
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Bring them to your in-clinic appointment, that's what it's for. You can also reach us via email admin@fittphysiotherapy.com or by calling the clinic on 0416 059 370.
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The Birth Prep Bundle includes the online course ($197) and an in-clinic birth prep appointment (usually $240 to $290). Together they’re $397, which saves you $40 to $90.
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Absolutely, our Birth Prep Bundle can make a thoughtful gift for an expecting parent. Contact us at admin@fittphysiotherapy.com to arrange a gift purchase.
You've done the hard work growing this baby.
Let's help you feel ready for what comes next.
Choose the pathway that works for you.