The Lady Birds

In this solo episode, Jessica breaks down one of the most common postpartum questions:  “Is this exercise safe for me right now?”  Instead of universal timelines, fear-based rules, or the mythical “six-week clearance means it's time to run a 5k,” she walks you through a simple, framework you can use for literally any movement. Whether you're three months, three years, or a whole decade postpartum,...

In this very off-duty, very unserious holiday episode, Jessica and Becky take a break from pelvic health and wander straight into the chaos of holiday traditions. From fake vs. real trees, to eggnog discourse, to matching pajamas, unpopular holiday opinions, and how Hanukkah and Christmas collide in their households — this one is cozy, a little spicy, and completely rooted in real-life end-of-year...

This week, we sat down with Moriel Levy of Juniper Babyproofing to talk about something that feels overwhelming for pretty much every parent: safety, stairs, gates, and all the things tiny humans love to climb, chew, or escape through. Instead of fear-based “what could kill my child?” vibes, Moriel walks us through a calmer, more grounded reframe — creating  yes spaces  that make your home safer ...

In this solo episode, Jessica breaks down one of the most under-talked-about postpartum topics: orgasms. What changes after pregnancy? Why do orgasms feel weaker, different, or sometimes downright painful? And what is the pelvic floor's role in an orgasm in the first place? Jessica walks listeners through the physiology of arousal, the role of pelvic floor tension vs. weakness, how hormones af...

In this solo episode (yes, Becky flies completely solo because Jessica lost her voice!), we unpack the confusion around the six-week postpartum visit — the OB/midwife check, the pelvic floor PT check, and why they both matter but for totally different reasons. Becky breaks down what “cleared” really means, why so many people feel blindsided when they jump back into exercise, and how to think about...

Bladder emptying isn’t exactly a hot topic — until it starts giving you problems. This week, Jessica and Becky dig into the science and habits behind how to pee effectively, from finding your body’s “relax” mode to specific tricks that help you fully empty. Whether you’re postpartum, managing leakage, or just curious, this episode is proof that pelvic health starts with the basics. In this episode...

Ever wonder how long you should be able to wait before peeing? In this episode, Becky and Jessica tackle the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-common world of urinary urgency and frequency. They break down what “normal” actually means, why your bladder might be bossing you around, and how to retrain your body to feel calm and in control again. In this episode: 💧 How much water is too much? 🚽 What “norm...

In this episode, we sit down with pediatric physical therapist and certified breastfeeding specialist Kristi Hammerle, PT, DPT, founder of Year One Wellness. They dive into everything parents (and PTs!) should know about torticollis, head shape, and infant development — from what causes those early asymmetries to why early intervention matters so much. Kristi breaks down the connection between tig...

In this personal update episode, Becky and Jessica talk about what it actually means to feel “back to normal” after having a baby — physically, mentally, and emotionally. They discuss their experiences with identity shifts, alone time (or lack thereof), tantrums, toddler chaos, and redefining what “normal” even means in motherhood.  In this episode: 🧠 redefining “normal” postpartum 💪 feeling str...

Hey y’all, and welcome back to The Lady Birds Podcast! This week, Becky and Jessica are back with part two of our support garment series! In part one, we covered belly bands — what they’re good for, when to use them, and how they differ from SI belts.  Now we’re diving into SI belts: what they are, who actually benefits from them, and how to tell the difference between a soft “hug” of support and...

Ever wonder why your SI joint suddenly starts screaming during pregnancy? In this episode, Becky and Jessica break down why sacroiliac joint pain happens, how to tell if it’s actually your SI joint, and what you can do to feel better both during and after pregnancy. From posture tweaks to smart strengthening and pelvic floor PT insights, if you only take one thing away from this podcast, let it be...

This week, we sat down with Maggie Brewer and Laura Burton, licensed speech-language pathologists and co-founders of Nest Infant and Caregiver Support, to tackle one of the messiest, most confusing parts of parenting: starting solids. From baby-led weaning to purees, choking vs. gagging, and why responsive feeding matters more than the method, this conversation is packed with real-life wisdom (and...

In this catch-up episode, we’re talking all about life with our girls (who still babies in our minds, but really toddlers). From breastfeeding and pumping highs and lows, to picky eating battles, nap transitions, and the bittersweet feelings about leaving the baby stage behind — we would love to say we left nothing out, but true to ourselves we still have so much to catch up on! Don't miss our...

Pregnancy belly bands get recommended everywhere — but are they really worth it? In this episode, Becky and Jessica dig into what the research says, who actually benefits, and how these compressive bands differ from other support garments. We cover belly bands in pregnancy (think back pain, belly heaviness, and everyday discomfort) as well as the real role they play after birth, especially after a...

We’re back with Dr. Amanda Horton for part two of our high risk pregnancy management deep dive — this time focusing on gestational diabetes. From how it develops (spoiler: the placenta) to diet, exercise, insulin, and what it means for labor and delivery, Dr. Horton walks us through practical management and long-term considerations. ✨ What you’ll hear in this episode: 🍬 Type 1, Type 2, and gesta...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Horton, a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, to dig into what MFMs actually do and why their expertise matters in complex pregnancies. We focus on hypertension in pregnancy, from preexisting high blood pressure to gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Dr. Horton shares clinical insights, patient stories, and practical takeaways for provider...

Today, we're sharing Jessica’s birth story — a positive, hospital induction that brought baby Colleen into the world to the soundtrack of Taylor Swift. From burnt eggs,  to pitocin contractions, nitrous regrets, and that sweet epidural bliss, this one’s real, funny, and full of heart. In this Episode: 🗞️ Big feelings about SCOTUS and queer rights 💧 Foley bulb, Pitocin, and all the juicy labor...

In this episode, we’re joined by our own lactation consultant, Sunayna Weber, IBCLC and founder of It’s More Than Milk. Sunayna brings an empathetic and practical perspective on preparing for, navigating, and sometimes struggling through your baby-feeding journey. We talk about what to do during pregnancy to set yourself up for feeding success, how to tell when something’s off, and finish the conv...

Let’s talk about everybody’s favorite taboo topic: poop. In this clinical episode, we break down what normal bowel function actually looks like, why constipation is so common in pregnancy and postpartum, and what you can do about it. We share practical tips for that dreaded first postpartum poop, how your pelvic floor plays a role in all of it, and what to do if you’re struggling with gas leakage...

In this episode, Becky shares the full story of her daughter’s birth — from a stretch of decreased fetal movement leading to an earlier than planned induction, to navigating a rare clotting disorder and deciding whether to get the epidural she wasn’t sure she could have. We get into what labor actually felt like, how clinical anxiety shows up in real time, and the small but unforgettable details —...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Nichelle Haynes, a reproductive psychiatrist and co-owner of Reproductive Psychiatry and Counseling based in Austin, Texas. She walks us through the nuances of mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum, from medication safety and identity shifts to postpartum anxiety and baby blues. If you’re navigating mental health during pregnancy or postpartum, thi...

This episode dives into one of our favorite birth topics: VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). Jessica and Becky open with a heartfelt check-in about the recent Hill Country floods before shifting into all things VBAC. They walk through the history, break down the real (and rare) risks like uterine rupture, and talk candidly about what pelvic floor PTs actually do to help. From hip mobility to sc...

 In this follow-up to Becky’s pregnancy story, we flip the mic and hear all about Jessica’s experience being pregnant at the same time as Becky. From instant joy to pubic symphysis pain, insomnia, compression socks, and body image shifts, we talk about it all, capturing the contradictions, the surprises, and the stuff no one tells you. We reflect on what it was like to go through pregnancy side-by...

Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, is a condition we treat frequently, but it’s often overlooked or misdiagnosed. In this episode, Jessica and Becky take a closer look at what true tailbone pain is (and isn’t), how it presents in pregnancy and postpartum populations, and why pelvic floor physical therapists are uniquely positioned to help. They discuss common contributing factors, treatment strategies,...

In this episode, Becky opens up about her pregnancy journey — one that was medically complex, emotionally draining, and often left out of the typical pregnancy narrative. From gestational diabetes and chronic itching to fetal heart defects and ovarian cysts, this is the story of Becky's pregnancy. Jess and Becky initially meant to talk about both her pregnancy AND her birth but ended up not ha...