Darwin physio de-bumps post-partum myths for new mums by launching playbook

A Darwin physiotherapist has published an ‘ultimate’ post-partum guide to empower new mums and support them in their post-birth recovery.

Darwin physio Stevie McKenzie has launched the The Postbump Playbook to give new mums more confidence.

The journey after giving birth can be a little bumpy.

Along with adjusting to having an additional human to look after, new mums often face a post-partum journey of rebuilding their body and fitness.

That is where Darwin physio, Stacey McKenzie, comes in.

As a physiotherapist with a special interest in women’s health, Stacey has fielded 10-years worth of questions on post-partum.

Darwin physiotherapist Stacey McKenzie has published The Postbump Playbook.

Throughout this time, the owner of SMC Physio realised a lot of women were coming in with very little information and so the idea of The Postbump Playbook was born.

Around nine months ago, Stacey started putting together a guide filled with information and exercises to help educate and support women through their post-partum recovery and this month launched an aesthetically designed guide and diary.

The Postbump Playbook offers tips, exercises and has sections for journalling.

“I really wanted to create a resource that could help women in their journeys,” Stacey said.

“I’ve had different types of things that I’ve offered women and I finally came out with the book which, for me, covers everything a woman needs to help them in their post-partum journey.

“It has exercises, tips and there’s journalling parts in it. Just so new mums feel really confident and have all of the good, important information they need.

“I really hope it becomes a helpful resource for those women who might be needing bit of extra help and support in this time.”

The ultimate guide was launched on May 20 and so far, Stacey said the response from users and professionals had been really positive with many saying it was a much-needed resource.

“People have been saying it’s got everything in it that they would have wanted or needed but didn’t realise they needed to know,” she said.

“I think having it all in one book ready to go so that they can flip to the pages that they need and that it’s aesthetically pleasing as well, a lot of women seem to like that which is definitely on purpose.”

The Postbump Playbook by Stacey McKenzie. Image: Stevie Hall/ North Australia Media

While the book is a great resource for first-time mums, Stacey said it also helped women after any birth who sometimes wanted to do things differently or be more prepared.

With the recent news of Healthscope going into receivership and the closure of the Territory’s only private maternity ward being a week away, there are many people in the Top End – particularly expectant mums – who are feeling anxious and uncertain.

Stacey said she had seen a rise of unease in patients impacted by the maternity ward closure in the past few months.

Hoping The Postbump Playbook could give some confidence in their after-care journey, Stacey said having more information could help give back some control in an uncertain situation.

“I think being an advocate and taking control in the ways that you can,” she said.

“I think education is a really incredible and helpful way to do that.

“Which is why I hope having something like the Playbook as a resource for them in any stage of post-partum or during pregnancy – having that extra bit of support – hopefully that helps give them that confidence and ease going into this part of their life.”

The Postbump Playbook by Stacey McKenzie was published on May 20 and can be purchased at postbump.com.au.