Women Need Support with SRC Health

If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that women need support. 

It is impossible to do all of the things, all of the time, and take good care of ourselves too, without help and support. 

And the best kind of help and support comes from women who have been there, done that, and are happy to share what they learned. 

For this month's article, we've invited Sinead O'Donovan from SRC Health to share her story and learn why she wanted to offer women more support in their pregnancy/ post natal journey and how the products she has developed can help you, if you need a bit more support too.

Sinead is passionate about de-stigmatising common conditions like incontinence and prolapse, and helping women access the support they need. That's why she's giving us a FREE SRC garment to giveaway as well as an exclusive discount code (full details at the end of this article).

Hi Sinead. Welcome to Sheela.ie. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I have a nursing and Podiatry background and I also spent time working in Intensive Care. I had a podiatry practice for 10 years and sold it when I was pregnant with my third child.

Why did you decide to start SRC Health?

I decided to start SRC Health because I saw a significant gap in the market for effective, comfortable, and medically beneficial postpartum support garments.

During my own pregnancies, I struggled to find anything that provided the right combination of support, comfort, and effectiveness, particularly when it came to managing Pelvic Girdle Pain and Lower Back Pain. These conditions can be incredibly debilitating, making everyday tasks difficult and affecting a woman’s overall pregnancy experience.

I knew that if I was facing these challenges, countless other women were likely struggling as well.

My goal was to change the pregnancy and postpartum journey for women by creating garments that actually work, helping to relieve pain, support recovery, and improve mobility.

SRC Health was born out of a personal need and a deep desire to empower women with products that truly enhance their comfort and recovery, allowing them to focus on what matters most, enjoying their pregnancy and caring for their newborns.

What was the first product you developed and how did you go about inventing something new for the market?

The first product I developed was the SRC Recovery Shorts, which was designed to support postpartum healing by providing gentle compression to the abdomen, back and pelvic area.

The road to getting this to market was full of twists and turns to say the least. My primary goal was to provide a specific level of continuous compression so that the body could work with it, that was tricky to achieve. The fabric needs to be specifically milled to accomplish this. Stretch and recovery of the fabric is paramount.

I also was very conscious that if the fabric had high levels of compression, it could create harm and not good. What I mean by that is, if you apply a high force to a muscle using strong compression (shapewear) for too long it will deactivate that muscle and create weakness.

The product also needed to have specific panels to treat specific post-partum conditions. These panels in the Recovery short are double layer, having an open hole mesh compression lining. Additionally, the outer fabric is also breathable and moisture wicking.

What is your most popular product and why do you think this is?

To be honest, all of our products are popular, but the one that has really taken off in the last few years is SRC Restore, designed specifically for urinary incontinence and prolapse.

The demand for this product has grown significantly, largely because the percentage of women suffering from these conditions is nothing short of alarming. Many women experience incontinence or prolapse after childbirth or during menopause, yet these issues are rarely spoken about openly, leaving countless women to struggle in silence without knowing that effective, non-invasive solutions exist.

SRC Restore has gained widespread recognition among Women’s Health Physiotherapists and Urogynaecologists, who frequently use it alongside other treatment modalities. Its success comes from the fact that it is non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and highly effective, making it an ideal option for women looking for a safe and comfortable way to manage their symptoms.

The garment provides targeted compression to support pelvic floor function, helping to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. As awareness of these conditions grows, more women are actively seeking solutions, and SRC Restore has proven to be a game-changer in helping them regain confidence and control over their bodies.

How did you go about getting the word out about your products?

In the early years, SRC Health had very humble beginnings, it was just me personally visiting Obstetricians and Women’s Health Physiotherapists in my local area in Melbourne, trying to introduce them to a completely new concept.

At the time, the idea of using gentle, sustained compression for pregnancy and postpartum recovery was not widely understood, and I certainly received some skeptical comments. However, I was confident in the product because I had conducted pilot studies prior to launching, and the results were incredibly promising. I knew that once healthcare practitioners saw the benefits for themselves, they would come to appreciate how effective targeted compression could be in supporting women’s recovery.

I kept at it, gradually building relationships with professionals who were open to learning more, and over time, the awareness and trust in SRC garments grew. As word spread, more physiotherapists, obstetricians, and urogynaecologists began recommending our products, and women themselves started sharing their positive experiences.

Now, after 17 years in the market, SRC Health has become a household name in Australia, trusted by both health professionals and women looking for non-invasive, clinically designed support during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and beyond.

What is the biggest challenge you face promoting your products?

The biggest challenge we face in promoting our products is breaking through the lack of awareness and understanding around compression therapy in some of the markets we’re expanding into.

While compression garments have gained significant popularity and recognition in Australia, we’ve encountered situations where we feel like we have to go back to square one when entering new geographical regions.

Compression therapy simply isn’t as widely accepted or understood in many of these countries, which means that educating both consumers and healthcare professionals is a critical first step. In these markets, there is often limited knowledge about how compression garments function, their medical benefits, and their role in aiding pregnancy pain and recovery post-pregnancy or surgery.

Many people still view compression as something only for athletes or those with circulatory problems, without recognising its importance for postnatal recovery, pelvic health, or general well-being.

Despite these challenges, we are committed to expanding our reach and making compression therapy accessible to more women globally, ensuring they have the support they need to feel better and recover safer.

Why do you think women are underserved in the pregnancy/ post pregnancy journey and what can we do to change this?

Women are often underserved in the pregnancy and post-pregnancy journey due to a mix of medical, societal, and economic factors.

Many women are not fully informed about the range of support options available to them, such as pelvic floor physiotherapy and postpartum compression garments.

Medical care often focuses heavily on pregnancy and childbirth but provides minimal structured support postpartum, typically after the initial six-week check-up. This lack of ongoing care, coupled with the normalisation of common postpartum symptoms like incontinence and prolapse, leaves many women without the treatment they need.

Additionally, specialised healthcare services, like pelvic floor therapy, can be expensive or unavailable.

To change this, we must increase education and awareness about postpartum recovery, including pelvic health and the available treatments. Women should have access to essential care, such as pelvic floor therapy, and we need to continue to destigmatise issues like incontinence and prolapse.

Open discussions about these challenges can ensure that women seek help and get the support they deserve. Advocating for policy changes that fund postpartum care and investing in products like SRC compression garments can provide practical solutions.

Ultimately, prioritising women’s health, through education, access to care, and innovation will make a significant difference in supporting women on their pregnancy and postpartum journeys.

If you could offer any advice to pregnant women/ new mums/ menopausal women, what
would it be?

My advice to pregnant women, new mums, and menopausal women is to prioritise your health and well-being at every stage of life.

See a Women’s Health Pelvic Specialist Physiotherapist.

For pregnant women, listen to your body, seek support, and incorporate exercises (if possible) to help navigate the changes your body is going through. SRC Pregnancy garments can provide valuable support, especially for relieving pelvic girdle pain. and lower back discomfort.

New mums should focus on self-care, rest when possible, and use products like SRC compression garments, which can support postpartum recovery by providing gentle compression to key areas.

For menopausal women, be patient and compassionate with yourself, seek advice to manage symptoms, and stay active and connected (sometimes difficult).

In all these phases, never underestimate the importance of self-care, ask for help, explore resources, and use treatments like SRC compression garments that support your physical and emotional health, because you deserve to feel good, and the right support can make all the difference.

If you could wave a magic wand and change things for women and mothers, what would you
change?

If I could wave a magic wand and change things for women and mothers, I would ensure that every woman had access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare at every stage of life, whether during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or menopause.

This would include longer, more consistent postpartum care, better access to specialised therapies like pelvic floor physiotherapy, and ongoing mental health support. Most importantly, I would want to see a shift in societal attitudes so that self-care for women is seen as a priority, not a luxury, and that every mother feels supported, informed, and empowered throughout her journey.

The health landscape is different in Australia in that it seems women have better access to support like specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy and longer access to support from midwives - how do you think this changes things for women in Australia?

The health landscape in Australia offers significant advantages for women, particularly in terms of access to specialised support like pelvic floor physiotherapy and extended care from midwives, which can make a huge difference in postpartum recovery and overall well- being.

Having access to specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy means women are more likely to receive the targeted care they need to prevent or address issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, and prolapse. This proactive approach helps women recover more effectively, reducing the long-term impact of these conditions.

Additionally, the ability to access midwifery care up to 12 months after birth ensures that women continue to receive guidance, emotional support, and care as they adjust to motherhood, which is often overlooked in countries with shorter postpartum care periods.

This extended support system not only helps with physical recovery but also provides valuable mental health benefits, as women feel more supported and less isolated.

Overall, the combination of accessible healthcare services and ongoing support helps women in Australia to recover more fully, navigate the challenges of motherhood with greater confidence, and ultimately leads to healthier outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

Your products are shipped from Australia - is there anything you'd like people to know about
costs/ how long it takes for delivery/ after sales care?

Yes, our products are shipped from Australia, and we want to ensure that our customers have a smooth experience from purchase to delivery.

Shipping costs are subsidised currently. Typically, delivery times range from 4-7 business days, depending on the destination and any customs processing. We also offer tracking for all orders, so you can monitor the progress of your shipment from our warehouse to your doorstep.

Once you receive your product, our aftersales care is an essential part of our service. We’re always here to assist with any questions about sizing, fit, or how to use our products effectively. If you have any issues or need further support, we offer a customer support team that is dedicated to resolving any concerns quickly and efficiently.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we want to make sure you have the best experience with our products, from delivery to aftercare.

Sinead has very kindly offered us a garment from the SRC range to giveaway at the end of April 2025 so follow along on our Instagram profile to be in with a chance to win. 

If you want to know more about how compression garments work to support your pelvic health, check out this article. You can also avail of a special Sheela discount when you shop with SRC Health via this link and use code SHEELA at checkout.

At Sheela, we're committed to providing affordable, evidence based support for women's pelvic health. For more accessible, practical content like this, follow us on Instagram (@sheela.ie) and YouTube (@sheelawomen), and check out our FREE resources here.