After attending physical therapy to heal my bladder prolapse, I learned that pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by labor and delivery techniques that are pretty standard on American labor and delivery floors, including medical intervention. While even though I loved the OB that delivered my first baby, Leon, her and the nurses she worked with were experts in medicine. After much personal research and guidance from my pelvic floor physical therapist, and because my baby and I are not considered high risk, the best route for us would be an unmedicated, natural childbirth. Midwives are the experts in natural childbirth, so they became the obvious route for me to explore. Click to read more!
After the birth of my first son, Leon, I was diagnosed with a grade 2 bladder prolapse. After 15 months of dedication to the physical and mental work necessary to heal, my OBGYN confirmed that my prolapse was reversed from a grade 2 to a grade 1, and even better news, I was symptom free! Read this blog to learn the exact steps I took to reverse my bladder prolapse!
According to my pelvic floor physical therapist, there are four possible causes of my bladder prolapse:
Receiving an epidural
Laboring on my back
Holding my inhalation in my belly while pushing
Genetics
Click to learn more!
We have the power to feel good right here and right now. Take five minutes to start your day on the right foot. Also, if the idea of being “thoughtless” in meditation sounds boring or daunting, this might be the perfect practice for you!
If you are in midst of this crazy season of life with a baby on your hip, if you are in any sort of pain, uncomfortable to leave the sight of a bathroom, or a queefing champ, I hope this blog serves you. I hope you walk away knowing you aren't alone, there is great help out there, and that with effort and a good sense of humor, these bodies can and will heal!
I am a fitness professional and certified health coach with a specialty in weight management and I have no intention of getting my body back to the exact shape it was prior to getting pregnant. Even though my industry loves to sell “get your pre-baby body back,” I think that goal is pretty bogus and could pile on unnecessary stress and pressure to this crazy role of motherhood… With that said, I have every intention to feel confident, strong, and sexy. Read about how I plan on getting there!
Late in my pregnancy, someone asked how I was feeling, and I said, “I feel great! I am pretty lucky to have such an easy pregnancy.” She responded, “Lauren, I am not surprised at all. You take really good care of yourself. You should feel great!” Wow… Yeah... I should give myself some credit!
Since the things I did worked well for me, maybe they will work for you, or maybe not! At the very least, I hope you can read this and feel empowered to take control. If something doesn’t feel good, don’t just assume, “Well, I am pregnant so I am just going to have to live with this for the next 9 months.” Do the research, experiment, listen to your body, and most importantly, talk to your health care provider.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this wholesome granola bar recipe!
In May, I taught a yoga workshop at Tinley Fitness that included self-massage with essential oil blends that I made at home. Many participants wanted to know the recipe for the oil blends, so here it is. At the next workshop, I promise to bring hand outs for you all!
