Frequently Asked Questions

At G.Lorri Labour Bodywork, we believe in harnessing the body's natural abilities to achieve desired results.

Our primary objective is to collaborate with the body to enhance fetal positioning and optimise pelvic space, ultimately facilitating a smoother and more efficient labour experience.

We are committed to supporting your journey towards a positive childbirth outcome with our specialised bodywork techniques.

The core difference between the two is your goal for that session.

‘Pregna-Ease’ is about relieving pregnancy and pelvic girdle aches and pains through soft tissue releases and stretches.

‘LabourFlow’ is about optimising fetal position before inductions/labour or troubleshooting current issues in early labour (e.g. stuck in early labour or water’s broken but no labour). This sessions requires the use of different bodywork techniques to achieve the more labour specific outcome.

At G.Lorri Labour Bodywork, we begin each session with a thorough conversation about your goals for bodywork, your pregnancy journey, and any discomforts or aches you may be experiencing.

Based on this information, we tailor our approach to suit your unique goals, gestation and labour signs, which may include; external release work, stretches and positional techniques.

Additionally, we offer abdominal palpations to monitor your baby's position during the session, particularly if improving fetal positioning is a priority.

If you have multiple goals for the session, book the session type that more closely aligns with your primary goal.

• Pregna-Ease = address pain

• LabourFlow = optimise baby’s position

If you’re still not sure which you want specifically addressed, you can book either session type and discuss with Gabrielle on the day.

There’s nothing specific you need to bring with you, other than knowing that release work is best performed as close to skin as possible rather than through tight or thick clothing material. This may mean some items of clothing may need to be removed (but we can always work over the top of underwear).

We help manage your privacy by providing towels for coverage, but if this is something you’re not comfortable with please let us know as we can easily work around it!

We want you to feel comfortable and still experience all the benefits of bodywork!

If you’re coming in for troubleshooting early labour, then we recommend bringing one of your support people with you as practitioner Gabrielle endeavors to share lots of birthing wisdom during the session and teaches you and your support person stretches and techniques to continue with at home.

They’re also important to have present just in case you experience really fast progress into active labour.

We believe that while bodywork can be beneficial for many, it may not be a necessity for everyone.

Our bodies possess an incredible ability to give birth naturally, and intervention-free births can occur without bodywork as well.

However, our experienced midwife, Gabrielle, has witnessed firsthand the advantages that bodywork can provide for numerous individuals, even for those who have experienced no issues during their pregnancy or labour.

In essence, bodywork can serve as a valuable tool to enhance your childbirth journey, regardless of your specific circumstances.

Our postpartum work is centred around addressing your specific goals such as pain, scar work or emotional nervous system support rather than general work.

Check out our list of what we help support you with through your postpartum period!

While bodywork primarily focuses on addressing soft tissue imbalances and tension, its effectiveness may vary depending on the individual and the root cause of their concerns.

Although it may not be a guaranteed solution for every issue, many people still find relief and benefit from bodywork treatments as part of their overall wellness journey.

The ideal timing for bodywork largely depends on your specific objectives:

To alleviate pregnancy aches and pains, you can benefit from bodywork at any stage of pregnancy.

If your goal is to assist with your baby's positioning leading up to birth, it is advantageous to begin bodywork from 34 weeks onwards.

For addressing particular labour concerns (e.g., water breaking without labour onset, prolonged early labour, or spurious/prodromal labour), we recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as you’re experiencing these issues.

Ultimately, the most suitable time for bodywork will vary based on your individual needs and desired outcomes.

Feel free to contact us via email, or for a faster response, by phone, regarding your goals and we will discuss the most appropriate time for you to commence.

This depends on your goals for the bodywork and how your body feels after an initial bodywork session.

If you’re having bodywork done to prepare for labour, then regular sessions may be beneficial.

Some people will benefit greatly from regular release work, others need less.

Feel free to discuss this with our practitioner Gabrielle at your first session, so you can work out a plan together.

We are proud to offer a unique service tailored to your urgent needs. If you require bodywork outside of our regular clinic scheduling, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email, describing the urgency of your situation.

We offer these as 90min sessions so we can ensure we’ve done as much as we can to support you with your goals.

We will work with you to schedule a session as promptly as possible, ensuring you receive the support you need when it matters most.

All you need to do is call!

Pregnancy and postpartum are transformative periods that leads to significant postural and physical changes as your body adapts to accommodate the growing baby and to heal from birth.

These alterations often result in your body needing to move differently, which may contribute to aches and discomforts.

In response to these sensations, the body naturally develops compensatory patterns to support the discomfort, but this can also lead to increased tension.

If you find yourself experiencing these challenges, you are an excellent candidate for bodywork, which can provide relief and promote positive outcomes.

Absolutely! Early labour plays a crucial role in establishing an optimally positioned baby.

Your body and your baby are not broken or failing and are working hard with you. If something feels stuck or you’re not feeling like there’s progress, then that’s exactly what your body wants you to work on!

This is the area Midwife Gabrielle feels most passionate about. Because if we, at this crucial time, successfully address your body’s concerns, then birth will progress.

Please always call us for the fastest response, so we can help you out as soon as possible.

Indeed, we strongly encourage seeking bodywork in such cases!

Pre-labour rupture of membranes is currently the third most common reason for inductions in Australia. There is often an underlying cause for delayed labour, and our goal is to help identify it.

Frequently, muscular imbalances and tension can contribute to suboptimal fetal positioning, which may result in an absence of contractions.

If this is the case, bodywork can be a highly effective solution, assisting in creating the ideal conditions for labour to progress naturally an avoid an induction.

We wholeheartedly recommend bodywork for those planning inductions!

Inductions often bypass the early labour phase, during which the body undertakes vital preparations to ensure readiness and optimal fetal positioning. Our midwife, Gabrielle, has observed that induced labours tend to present more tension-related issues and fetal malposition compared to spontaneous labours.

As a result, individuals undergoing inductions can greatly benefit from bodywork, as it helps address these challenges and promote a more successful labour experience.

We recommend coming to see us at least 1-2 weeks before your booked induction day. This can allow time for your baby to adjust to their new space and get better positioned. Depending on what practitioner Gabrielle finds during the session, we may recommend another session to give your body the best chance of a successful induction.

CESAR SCARS

How to know your scar needs work?

• Numb patches on or around the scar.

• Pulling or sharp sensations on or near the scar.

• Swollen puffy tissue around the scar - includes a skin overhang.

• Restricted mobility due to the scar.

• Pain or discomfort starting since birth.

• Emotional aversion thinking, looking at or touching the scar.

When to book?

• Whenever you feel both physically and emotionally ready for your scar to be worked on.

• There needs to be no healing pain from an open wound, bleeding or infections present. Typically this can be a few weeks post birth -every wound is different, listen to yours!

PERINEAL SCARS

How to know your scar needs work?

• Difficulty tolerating sitting despite the wound itself healed.

• Numbness, pulling or sharp sensations on or near the scar.

• Pain or discomfort during intimacy.

• Emotional aversion thinking, looking at or touching the scar.

When to book?

• Whenever you feel both physically and emotionally ready for your scar to be worked on.

• There needs to be no healing pain from an open wound, bleeding or infections present. Typically this can be a few weeks post birth -every wound is different, listen to yours!

The incredible thing about our bodies is that is can always benefit from bodywork. Years of tension can melt away in just one fascia based session.

Yes, the earlier we work on a scar the better, but it truly needs to be when you feel ready. And if that’s two years later, then that’s okay!

Our body is always grateful for any work we offer it, lean into when this feels right for you.

Our flexible bodywork packages are designed to cater to your individual needs, allowing you to determine the timing and frequency of your sessions.

This personalised approach is especially beneficial for those seeking regular bodywork throughout pregnancy to alleviate discomfort and optimise the baby's positioning before labour.

As each person's body responds differently to bodywork, the ideal frequency can only be determined after an initial session. With our packages, you won't be locked into a specific schedule, granting you the freedom to arrange sessions as needed.

Please ensure that all sessions within your chosen package are attended within 90 days from the date of purchase.

If bodywork doesn't yield the desired outcome, it simply indicates that imbalance and tension may not be the primary cause of the issue you're experiencing. In such cases, it's worth exploring alternative approaches with your medical or allied health provider to effectively address your concerns and ensure optimal care throughout your pregnancy journey.

Should your needs change after making a purchase, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email. We will promptly respond to your inquiry and assist you with any refund requests, ensuring your concerns are addressed efficiently and effectively.

If you have not yet attended your first session and require a refund, please send us an email detailing your request. If you have already utilised some of the sessions in your package but are unable to attend the remaining ones, we ask that you email us with an explanation of your circumstances.

Please be aware that we generally do not offer partial refunds for packages; however, we will consider your situation and work towards finding an appropriate solution.

Yes, it is important to note that all sessions must be attended within 90 days from the date of purchase. This ensures that you receive timely support and maintain consistency in your bodywork journey.

Please be sure to cancel or reschedule your session at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time. If you don’t provide sufficient notice or fail to attend your appointment, you will be charged a $50 penalty fee. This policy allows us to accommodate other clients effectively and maintain a smooth functioning schedule.