The Pelvic Floor Project

BONUS BIRTH MEDITATION 4 The GentleBirth Positive Birth app combines mindfulness, hypnosis, breathing techniques, affirmations, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help expectant moms feel calm, confident and prepared for birth. Unlike traditional childbirth classes, GentleBirth is brain training for birth - teaching moms (and partners) how to manage stress, reduce fear, and build resilience...

In this episode I discuss with Kelowna based midwife and clinical counsellor, Laura Cavaliero:  Each person experiences their birth uniquely. What is beautiful to one may feel traumatizing to another.  Labour and birth factors that may lead to trauma  Possible signs and symptoms that may indicate one is experiencing the effects of birth trauma Benefits of revisiting birth or going through the even...

In this episode I discuss with fellow physiotherapist, Dr. Sinéad Dufour: Reasons we may be seeing more instrumented births and cesareans despite the goal for a physiological birth International clinical guidelines favour limited use of routine medical interventions BUT most labour and birth practices don’t align with this  Impacts that stress, anxiety and fear have on birth outcomes  New research...

In this episode I discuss with Physiotherapist, Fiona Rogers:  What is TTNS (Trans tibial nerve stimulation) using a tens machine and how does it work? Why don’t we hear more about it?  Where does it stand amongst other treatments for overactive bladder When in practice you may consider applying TTNS  Suggestions for purchasing a TENS machine Settings/parameters ideal for overactive bladder  How a...

In this episode I discuss with UBCO Professor, Ali McManus:  How we as parents model healthy eating and physical activity to our children The guilt we may feel as parents when we prioritize our own physical activity and how we can rethink this Trends in different areas of the world when it comes to childhood obesity and parent level of activity The research Ali McManus and her team are conducting...

In this episode I discuss with Board Certified Urogynecologist, Dr. Sarah Boyles:  Types of incontinence Typical patient flow through medical system  Impact of incontinence on quality of life  Reasons why incontinence may develop What you can expect at a urogynecology appointment  Treatment options (pessary, physio, bulking agents, compression, surgery)  Description of surgical options Surgical ri...

In this episode I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Rachel Fobert:  What defines constipation? What is considered ideal poop Signs and symptoms of constipation  Reasons people can become constipated? Negative effects of constipation? Recommendations for softer stools  How to get help  Dr. Rachel Fobert is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor striving to help women with digestive system issues move f...

In this episode I discuss with Dr. Rebecca Dekker from Evidence Based Birth: What is the perineum? Different types of tears How often do tears happen? Factors that increase or decrease chance of tearing  Side effects of tearing 5 evidence based ways to decrease tearing in childbirth  How are we doing in terms of evidence based care? Ways we can improve? Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the...

In this episode I discuss with Lauren Barker, CEO of Uresta:  The reasons why a Canadian Urogynecologist created the device for incontinence  Differences between Uresta and a pessary What does Uresta look like and what does it do? Sizing Suggestions for insertion and removal  How long can it be left in? How well does it work and which symptoms will it best address? Pricing Uresta was founded by wo...

In this episode I discuss with Dr. Rachel Ollivier, Nurse Practitioner and women's health scientist based at the BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre in Vancouver, BC: Sexual health is physical, emotional and relational  The 6 week check up: What it is and what it isn’t Body image and its relationship with sexual self-image Identity as a mother vs. as a sexual being Whose job is it to tal...

In this episode I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn: The menstrual cycle and changes that characterize the menopause transition The role of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone  The various symptoms experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause (not just hot flashes!) What can someone expect when they book an appointment with a naturopathic doctor Do hormones...

This episode is meant to follow Episode #96, Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, urinary issues, pain and the prostate with Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho.  In this episode with fellow physiotherapist, Corinne Wade, we discuss the physiotherapy approach to addressing some of the most common pelvic floor related symptoms that men experience.  Erectile dysfunction Premature ejaculation Urinary i...

In this episode I sit down with Kelowna based Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho to discuss:  What you can expect at a Urology appointment Diagnostic tests commonly ordered  Common reasons men are referred to a urologist and treatment suggestions that may be provided  Urinary issues Storage issues (frequency, urge, incontinence, pain, nighttime urination) Issues with emptying (weak flow, straining, blockag...

In this episode I sit down with dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ritha Belizaire to discuss:  What are hemorrhoids?  What causes anal fissures? Anal itchiness How the pelvic floor is related to these conditions Treatment options including creams, physio, botox, stress management, bowel hygiene, surgery and more Dr. Ritha Belizaire is a dual board certified general and color...

In this episode I sit down with speech language pathologist (SLP) Ashley Michaelis to discuss:  Similarities between the voice box and pelvic floor  Relationship between voice, breathing and pelvic floor Missed connections in the research Ways we can use the pelvic floor to train the voice and the voice to train the pelvic floor How sounds we make in birth influence the pelvic floor Noises we make...

In this episode I sit down with physiotherapist and olympic weight lifter, Brittney Klingmann and Dietician Melissa Hardy to discuss:  Common symptoms women experience (tired, low mood, decreased performance, low libido, pelvic floor symptoms) How do we know if they are due to hormones, stress. Lack of sleep, nutritional deficiency? The difference between RED (relative energy deficiency) and LEA (...

In part 2 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny Rabinovich to discuss: Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues  The Sexual Health Education curriculum  Middle years and high school focus focus (grades 7-12)  healthy vs unhealthy relationships consent sexual decision making contraception...

In part 1 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny to discuss: Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues  The Sexual Health Education curriculum  Elementary years focus (grades 4-6)  puberty education (periods, hormones, pimples, hair, body odour) reproduction and pregnancy hygiene (vulvar a...

In this episode, I sit down with New Westminster BC based Urogynecologist, Dr. Merry Gong to discuss:  Operative vaginal birth (vacuum, forceps, episiotomy) What do these instruments look like and indications for their use Indications for operative vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birth Risks associated with vacuum and forceps Canada has the highest rates of obstetrical trauma C-section rates rising Way...

In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, Lucy Snider to discuss: How the pelvic floor is related to previous sexual trauma What you can expect at a pelvic physiotherapy appointment What may take place at a psychotherapy appointment  What is EMDR therapy? Suggestions to help progress to pleasurable sexual activity How do you know when you are ready to process sexual trauma? Differences in...

In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist clinician/researcher Dr. Sinead Dufour and Sinead O’Donovan from SRC to discuss: The evidence based benefits of compression  The quality garments SRC has developed for incontinence, prolapse and the perinatal population Australian trends for use of compression Given the data to support, some reasons why we may not be implementing this as well in Nor...

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Lori Brotto; Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Registered Psychologist and Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute of BC and Principal Investigator in the HER-BC Research Study on Midlife Women and Menopause to discuss: The impacts of perimenopause/menopause on midlife women  The lack of current research Aims of t...

In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapy clinician and researcher Dr. Sinéad Dufour and Founder and CEO of Urospot, Erin Craven to discuss:  Kegel chair (emsella) controversy Various marketing strategies Physiotherapy skepticisms  HIFEM technology and the evidence How we use other modalities as physiotherapists to help “reboot the system” (muscle stim, IMS or TENS) The Urospot care model (ed...

In this episode, I sit down with Christie Uipi, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety and depression and the founder of The Better Mind Center to discuss:  Pain is invisible and so are pelvic floor issues How pain works  Why each person experiences pain uniquely  Why sometimes pain goes away quickly and reasons why it persists Messages to patients who feel they g...

In this episode I sit down with fellow pelvic health physiotherapist and leader in the field of diastasis, Munira Hudani to discuss: The increasing awareness around the topic of diastasis rectus abdominis and the confusion that comes with it Conflicting messaging ranging from “be careful, you shouldn’t do those exercises” to “all exercises are good exercises” Trends in messaging and how these have...