My first son was born after a difficult 36 hours of labor. The labor was hard and fast, with protracted contractions 2-3 minutes apart and no more than 4 minutes apart for 30 hours.
Secrets for Easing Labor Pain
Studies have, for a long time, shown that deep breathing, mental imagery, deep massage or acupressure, and the presence of a constant companion or coach during labor can ease labor pains, making the miracle of birth more, well, enjoyable.
A Letter to My Children: Wisdom in Parenting
In 2012 the National Association of Mothers Centers asked me to write a letter to my children in recognition of Mothers Day, as a way to impart to the world what wisdom I would like to pass on to them. This is the hardest thing Ive ever written, by far, especially since it is only 650 words or so.
Finding Relief From Pelvic Pain
The following is part 1 in a three-part series onfinding relief from pelvic pain through physical therapy, yoga, and other complementary therapies.Question from Kate, a mother of two boys, ages 5 and 7:”I have pelvic pain due to a non-relaxing pelvic floor. I cannot even sit down without pain. I am already doing pelvic physical therapy and have had multiple therapies (see below). What can yoga do to help me find relief …
American Childbirth: A Human Rights Failure?
Data from the United Nations shows that between 1990 and 2008, the United States maternal mortality rate nearly doubled, while the overwhelming majority of countries collectively decreased their rates by 34% (Coeytauz et al 2011).
Choosing the Right Health Care Provider
There is one thing all expectant mothers have in common: Each and every one wants the healthiest start for her unborn baby.
Sharing My Birth Story
A woman will never forget the moment she became a mother. I even cry when I read or hear a birth story, so for me this is the most important post I have ever written.
Mothers’ Declaration of Rights
Recently I wrote about the shameful state of womens health care in America and how Americas broken health care system affects women.
Lady Gaga’s Hip Labral Tear: Are You at Risk for One?
Lady Gagas tour operators, Live Nation, announced February 14, 2013 that she would be cancelling the remainder of her tour due to a hip injury. As a physical therapist for womens health, this headline immediately got my attention. And because hip labral injury diagnosis is on the increase, you should be interested too.
Pelvic Pain Recovery Through Yoga: One Mom’s Success Story
In a recent three-part series, I shared the story of Kate,a physical therapist and mother of two working diligently to overcome serious pelvic girdle pain (PGP).In Part 3 of that series, Idiscussed the benefits of using yoga for pelvic pain relief, especially for myalgia or hypertonicity of the pelvic floor muscles, which occurs in vaginismus. Myalgia is also known as non-relaxing pelvic floor.Symptoms of nonrelaxing pelvic floor dysfunction are associated with …