Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in updating my archive, but I have a legitimate and proud excuse: the birth of my second daughter, Shayla! I thought this would be a perfect time and opportunity to write a short article on my own experience with natural childbirth and how my knowledge in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation, Pilates and Yoga assisted with embracing the challenges of my second birth experience.

Let me first briefly tell you about my ‘birth story’ so you can understand the challenges I’ve experienced and also why I am now even a stronger advocate of Pilates, Yoga and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation.

My first birth with my dear Elysia (who is now 3 years old) was a long 42 hour non-progressive and exhausting labour. I had pelvic floor muscle (PFM) issues post partum which resolved completely with my rehabilitation regime. With Shayla, my contractions started at 2:30 a.m. When I arrived at the hospital at 5 p.m., I was already 7 c.m. dilated (compared to 1 cm with Elysia at 24 hours– so I was ecstatic!). Contrary to what my midwife thought (‘don’t call your Doula, the baby will be here soon’) - I ended up pushing for a gruelling 3 hour marathon that consisted of every position in my birth book and more and I was exhausted! My contractions were also starting to diminish and I was getting worried. Ultimately, I had to use every abdominal fibre that existed in my body and more to push her out. Shayla arrived at 10:26 p.m. staring my shocked midwife in the face - ‘sunny side up’ – in a posterior (instead of anterior) position – no wonder it took so long!

My midwife didn’t realize that Shayla wasn’t positioned properly and indicated that because of this, it was like pushing out a baby that was a whole pound heavier! She was surprised that I was able to manage the pain, despite the poor positioning, and stated that I was extremely fortunate that forceps were not used to assist with the delivery.

In my practice, I have seen many clients after forceps delivery with a multitude of Pelvic floor problems, so I was relieved this was avoided. My ability to endure the long pushing phase of my labour without forceps, was attributed to a combination of both abdominal, core strength and endurance training from Pilates and Yoga and the ability to open up the pelvis and relax my pelvic floor muscles (PFM) with my Pelvic floor Rehabilitation (PFR) training. I was so thankful that I continued to do my core stability and PFM exercises before and during my pregnancy!

I was also relieved to know that I only sustained a very minor tear (one of my labour fears) as I managed to control and relax my PFM with a combination of yoga breathing, hypnotherapy and Pelvic Floor relaxation exercises.

As relieved as I was from my birth, I still had postpartum challenges ahead. Because Shayla’s head had crowned for so long and I sustained such a lengthy pushing stage, my PFM were stretched like crazy and basically were non functional. Everything I had seen in my practice was coming home to me, closer than I wanted: I couldn’t stop my flow of urine; I dribbled when I coughed and sneezed (Stress Urinary Incontinence - SUI) and had problems evacuating with my bowel movements. I began doing my PFM rehabilitation regime daily and gradually I noticed my PFM returning. I tested myself on the biofeedback unit to visualize how my training was progressing and I was pleased to see that I was improving daily. Having just had a newborn, it made me even more fully empathize how difficult and socially embarrassing my clients situations were and how important these PFM’s are.

Shayla is now 5 and a half months and I am pleased to say that I have recovered fully despite the lengthy second birth. After having Shayla and experiencing it first hand, I am now even a stronger advocate of Pilates, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Yoga! I no longer have any PFM issues and have also returned to teaching my ‘Mom and baby Yolates’ class with Shayla. I am blessed that I have the knowledge and experience to assist in facilitating my post-partum recovery (hard work does pay off!) and it continues to be my passion to share my knowledge and expertise with my clientele and the community.

As mothers, our altruistic tendencies tend to put our needs last. A lot of the clientele I have require lengthy treatment (ie Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy) because they have waited too long to treat their problems, which could have easily been resolved with only a few treatments.

My role is to cultivate my belief that Woman’s health emanates from being healthy from the inside out - physically, mentally and soulfully. From woman to woman and mom to mom, my advice is: Take care of yourself also and get treatment early – and don’t forget my 3 p’s to an easier pregnancy, delivery and recovery:

1. Pelvic floor muscle training
2. Pilates and core stability work (Yoga too) and being
3. Pro-active with your Mommy care by Preventing future problems and aches and pains (and yes, Patience and being Positive too, of course!)

The benefits of being prepared for childbirth are not only reflected in your pregnancy, but your labour, delivery and recovery. It really does pay off – and I am your prime example as a proud mom of two daughters!