In this episode, I sit down with Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Jamie Straker to discuss:The fears around doing planks and pushups postpartumSome harmful messagingReasons why getting back to planking and pushups is helpfulHow to start with the basics Ways to progress back to planking and pushupsSigns your body may be finding the exercise too difficultJamie is a Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach and owner of JS Fitness.   She has a passion for educating people and motivating them to move their bodies in ways that empower them and make them feel strong throughout pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.  Jamie is a trained elementary school teacher, but after having two children she saw a need for educating women and creating fitness opportunities where women feel safe and strong in their bodies.Jamie works with people during pregnancy and postpartum to get strong and feel confident in their bodies, both online and in person in Kelowna, British Columbia. Links mentioned:Find Jamie and I at KLWNA Health and Wellness: WebsiteBook with usThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with RxPx CEO, Lynda Brown-Ganzert to discuss their Stronger Together project for C-section parents. How Lynda’s personal experience led her to her visionThe company’s initiative to support women preparing for cesarean birth and their caregivers The funding behind the project that enables free accessThe research component of the projectInterior Health involvement How can people sign up for the appWhat users can expect once inside the appCompany information:RxPx (previously known as Curatio) provides peer to peer patient apps to help deliver personalized social support, education, coaching, and adherence at scale. Our mission is “No Patient Alone” and one of the ways we accomplish this is by creating private communities for individuals experiencing a similar health journey to connect with one another and access evidence-based content.More about the C-Section Program:This initiative is sponsored by Health Canada as a part of the competitive Innovative Solutions Canada program, for which RxPx has been selected. The program is designed for mothers who are expecting a planned c-section, or who may have to undergo an unplanned c-section. The program includes evidence-based content to help mothers prepare for and recover from their c-section, both physically and mentally. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with and support other mothers who are anticipating a c-section or educating themselves about a c-section in case it is something they will need.How to join the app:STEP 1: download the ‘Stronger Together’ App from Google Play or Apple App Store STEP 2: use code CAESAREANSTEP 3: register for the free in app event with me to discuss how to prepare for c-section from a physiotherapy point of view on Nov 29 4:30 pm PSTSTEP 4: participate in group chats and share what information you would like to haveThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Jamie Straker to discuss:The fears around doing crunches postpartumSome harmful messagingReasons why getting back to crunches is helpfulHow to start with the basics Ways to progress back to crunches/sit upsSigns your body may be finding the exercise too difficultJamie is a Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach and owner of JS Fitness.   She has a passion for educating people and motivating them to move their bodies in ways that empower them and make them feel strong throughout pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.  Jamie is a trained elementary school teacher, but after having two children she saw a need for educating women and creating fitness opportunities where women feel safe and strong in their bodies.Jamie works with people during pregnancy and postpartum to get strong and feel confident in their bodies, both online and in person in Kelowna, British Columbia. Links mentioned:Find Jamie and I at KLWNA Health and Wellness: WebsiteBook with one of usThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comSupport the show

In this episode, I want to share some information with moms and those who work with moms within the first 6 weeks postpartum. We shouldn’t be waiting 6 weeks to give recovery guidanceWorking with a physio doesn’t mean “pushing your body”3 simple yet effective tips you can start right after vaginal or cesarean birthHi I’m Mel, the host of The Pelvic Floor Project Podcast, aimed at providing evidence based information through conversation with experts in their field.It’s my goal to educate and help you on your journey to optimal pelvic health using a whole body approach. With 15+ years experience as a physiotherapist, my mission is to help women and men adopt a proactive approach to their pelvic health so they can feel empowered as they weather the changes that come with aging, pregnancy, child birth, menopause and living a generally active lifestyle.I am the founder of Mommy Berries , an online platform to educate and support women throughout pregnancy, birth and recovery after baby. I'm a lifelong learner and advocate for collaborative health care. I live in Kelowna BC Canada with my husband and 2 kids. Links mentioned:Find me at my new location: KLWNA health and WellnessMommy Berries WebsiteThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with paediatric physiotherapist, Angus MacKay to discuss:Kids and pelvic floorsWhat a pelvic health assessment looks like for kidsKids and constipationBed wettingToilet training Pee and poop habitsWhat is normal and outside of normal when it comes to peeing and poopingHow to normalize conversation around these topicsDiastasis in kidsBorn in Austin and raised in Kelowna, Angus has long had a love for the outdoors and a desire to help those around him. Looking to combine these two passions, Angus and his wife Sydney moved to Brisbane, Australia, to study Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland. He has been a part of Kids Physio since 2015 and has worn many hats along the way, all the while chasing the dream of opening a clinic in his hometown. In 2020 Angus and Sydney welcomed their daughter, Tilly, to the world and moved home to Kelowna and opened Kids Physio Group Kelowna in the Summer of 2021. Angus is passionate about getting to the root of the cause of an issue, understanding how kids move and what makes each kid unique, and most of all helping children and families reach their goals. From babies to teens, Angus has experience with a wide range of neurological, musculoskeletal, developmental, and bladder and bowel conditions and is excited to help each and every kid get back to being a kid.InstagramWebsiteLinks mentioned:Dawn Sandalcidi: https://kidsbowelbladder.com/parent-courses/about-dawn-sandalcidi/Dr. Steve Hodges: https://www.bedwettingandaccidents.com/Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsSupport the show

In this episode, fellow physiotherapist Dr. Rebecca Segraves and I discuss:The lack of support for c-section recoveryHow physiotherapists support patients in the hospital after other surgical proceduresHow physiotherapists can support women after cesarean birth and how this can decrease complications, enhance recovery and improve mental wellbeingThe disparities Dr. Rebecca Segraves witnessed when working with the maternal population in hospitalThe motivation behind her recent clinical commentary and how it has sparked changeWays to initiate conversation around change in our current health care systemRebeca Segraves, PT, DPT is a physical therapist and Board-Certified Women’s Health Clinical  Specialist who has served individuals and families within the hospital and at home during  pregnancy and immediately postpartum.  She has extensive experience with optimizing function during long-term hospitalizations for  high-risk pregnancy and following perinatal loss and pregnancy termination. In the hospital and  home health settings, she has worked with maternal care teams to maximize early recovery after delivery, including cesarean section, birth-related injuries, and following obstetric critical  care interventions.  She is the founder of Enhanced Recovery After Delivery™, an obstetrics clinical pathway that  maximizes mental and physical function during pregnancy and immediately postpartum with  hospital and in-home occupational and physical therapy. Her vision is that every person will  have access to an obstetric rehab therapist during pregnancy and within the first 6 weeks after  birth, perinatal loss, and pregnancy termination regardless of their location or ability to pay.InstagramWebsiteLinks mentioned:Segraves et al - Reducing Maternal Morbidity on the Frontline: Acute Care Physical Therapy After Cesarean Section During and Beyond the COVID-19 PandemicThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Jodie Pulsifer to discuss the recent editorial Reframing beliefs and instiling facts for contemporary management of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Jodie Pulsifer, along with Susannah Britnell, Adrienne Sim, Sinead Dufour and Jessica Adaszynski have been credited for combing through all related evidence on the topic to create a helpful resource for clinicians and clients in infographic form. In this episode we discuss the details including: Causes of pelvic pain in pregnancyHow common messaging is misleading practitioners and clientsStability of the pelvis in pregnancyThe hormonal and postural changes expected in pregnancyThe importance of education, emotional wellbeing and sleep to manage painWays to self manage pelvic pain (exercise, support belts etc)The strongest predictor of resolution of pregnancy related pelvic girdle painJodie is a Registered Physiotherapist who graduated from UBC in 2012. Jodie trained in pelvic health physiotherapy in 2015 and loves the intersection of her interest in the human body and providing care that is not readily accessed in our current medical model.She loves both clinical work, supporting education of clients and clinicians and being an advocate for practice change on structural and educational levels. Jodie practices clinically in pelvic health and persistent pain in East Vancouver where she currently works in two treatment spaces within the walls of Pomegranate Community Midwives and Local Health Integrative Clinic. You can find Jodie through the Full Circle Physiotherapy Collective - a network of Pelvic Health Providers across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. When not treating clinically, Jodie keeps herself motivated and engaged teaching with Pelvic Health Solutions and Reframe Rehab as well as volunteering on the Professional Development Advisory Committee for CPTBC and the Scope of Practice Committee for PABC. She also serves on the Steering Committee for Pain BC’s Adaptive Mentorship Network and is currently participating in their mentorship program for her own continued growth and learning!  Jodie believes that listening, communication and the use of language are some of the most undervalued and essential tools humans and healthcare providers have and their role and impact should not be taken lightly. Jodie is passionate about care that considers your unique experience in your body, including healthcare inequities and social injustice.  Outside of her physio roles, Jodie tries to practice a life filled with small moments of goodness and joy in the chaos. Jodie loves to be in connection with the earth and her body so you will likely find her growing or cooking food with her 2 tiny humans, enjoying an espresso, ripping around on her longtail e-bike and running with her vigorously social Labradoodle, Leni.InstagramWebsite A link to the source:Article download here for a fee or reach out to associations/schools that have full text access for a copy. Physiotherapists with PABC can reach out directly to the librarian for the full editorial. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2022/08/19/bjsports-2022-105724  Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Teresa Waser to discuss the benefits of strength training through the female life span. In this episode we cover:The benefits of strength training during pregnancy and postpartumThe benefits of strength training during perimenopause/menopauseThe benefits of strengthening for older adultsWhat the evidence says about strength trainingA variety of ways to incorporate strength training into your lifeCommon misconceptions about strength training Teresa Waser is a passionate educator driven to help healthcare and fitness professionals reignite their curiosity, challenge what they believe, and strive towards a truly biopsychosocial approach. She developed TIIPPSS-FC, a framework for creating change in how we help those with pain, pelvic health issues, and/or performance concerns. Teresa teaches her own courses, including TIIPPSS:FC Reframing Pain, Pelvic Health and Performance and Beyond the Pelvis: Exercise for the Whole Body and Everyday Person.  She has also worked alongside Antony Lo, assisting in course development and co-teaching on several of his courses, along with their course, Reframing Resistance Training Across the Lifespan. Teresa is a pelvic health and orthopedic physiotherapist and clinic owner, based out of RX Physiotherapy in Leduc, Canada.  She has previously coached running, as well as CrossFit for kids through to older adults. She blends her experiences as physio, coach, and educator to help empower clinicians and clients alike to redefine their possibilities – both in athletics and in life. Find more about Teresa's current course offerings and how to register here. Instagram WebsiteA few key references from this episode:WHO recommendations for exercise, including strength trainingIntra-abdominal pressure and the pelvic floorStrength training reducing hot flashesStrength training improving bone health:LIFTMORE studyImpact of high load resistance training on bone mineral density in osteoporosis and osteopenia: meta-analysisImpact of strength training on gait and balanceThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Pip Houghton, a family doctor and maternal mental health advocate to discuss:Dr. Pip’s personal experience with postpartum mental health strugglesSocietal and cultural pressures of being a new mom/parent Signs that your mental health may be “unwell” postpartumSuggestions to help you check in with what your needs and wants are Ways to ask for help from the people around you and with your health care provider The relationship between physical and mental health Trends that I see as a physiotherapist who works with perinatal clients Actionable steps for those that care for the perinatal population and for new moms listening Dr. Houghton is a rural family doctor with a passion for supporting new mamas and a special interest in perinatal mental health care. She is dedicated to providing evidence-based content on perinatal mental health and the common issues that women and families face in pregnancy the first postpartum year. Her hope is that through education and advocacy women will feel more supported and less alone as they navigate their transition to motherhood.InstagramWebsiteMaking Mamma Well PodcastStudy mentioned looking for participantsThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show

This episode is a follow up to episode 18 with Dr. Sinéad Dufour- The research behind vaginal devices, chairs, laser and online apps to treat incontinence In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Sinéad Dufour to discuss: The emerging use of telehealthResearch to supports it’s effectivenessThe soon to be released SOGC guideline on telehealthReasons for resistance from practitioners and clientsUsing telehealth for prolapse, incontinence, perinatal, paediatrics etcWays to start incorporating more telehealth in your practiceDr. Sinéad Dufour is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Health Science at McMaster University.  She teaches and conducts research in both the Schools of Medicine and Rehabilitation Science.  She completed her MScPT at McMaster University (2003), her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science at Western (2011), and returned to McMaster to complete a post-doctoral fellowship (2013). Her current research interests include: conservative approaches to manage pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy-related pelvic-girdle pain, and interprofessional collaborative practice models of service provision to enhance pelvic health.  Additionally, Sinéad has undergone training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine and is currently completing a full certificate program with Dr. Aviva Romm.   Sinéad stays current clinically through her work as the Director of Pelvic Health Services at The World of my Baby (the WOMB) a family of perinatal care centers in Ontario, Canada.  In addition to managing her own very busy caseload, she mentors novice pelvic health physiotherapists and is a clinical preceptor for family medicine residents and midwifery students from McMaster University.  Sinéad in an invited member on several committees for various organizations including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and the International Continence Society. She is also serving as the Guest Editor for the upcoming special issue: Optimizing the Fourth Trimester, for the Women’s Health Physical Therapy Journal. Her passion for optimizing perinatal care and associated upstream health promotion for women and children stemmed from her own experience becoming a mother of twins.  She is an advocate for women’s pelvic health and a regular invited speaker at conferences around the world. InstagramWebsite Links mentioned:Episode 18- The research behind vaginal devices, chairs, laser and online apps to treat incontinence The Effect of Core Exercise Using Online Videoconferencing Platform and Offline-Based Intervention in Postpartum Woman with Diastasis Recti Abdominis Evidence for the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive SurgeryThanks for joining me!Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show