Inside OASI: Guidelines, Birth Choices & Rehab Done Right

In this episode, we sit down with pelvic health physiotherapist Nat McConochie to unpack some of the most important topics in perinatal pelvic health, guided by the latest ACSQHC (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care) guidelines.

Together, we explore:

• What the ACSQHC guidelines are and how they shape evidence-based best practice.

• How common OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury) really is—and why understanding the numbers matters.

• Risk factors every clinician and expectant mother should be aware of.

• The truth about the Epino device—does the research support its use?

• Paradoxical puborectalis—what it is, why it matters in late pregnancy, and how we can optimise function before birth.

• The role of physiotherapy in recovery—how to start rehab the right way for the best long-term outcomes.

• Early EAS (External Anal Sphincter) strengthening vs levator ani avulsion risk—finding the balance in early postpartum rehab.

• Supporting decision-making around mode of delivery after OASI—how to guide women through the evidence and personal considerations.

Whether you’re a physiotherapist, a birth worker, or a mum wanting to better understand your body, this conversation is packed with clear, practical, and compassionate guidance to help optimise recovery and protect pelvic health.