I have PCOS – Now What?
Getting the diagnosis of any syndrome seems like a huge weight to bear, especially something that may affect your fertility and disrupt your life plans. However, with a few lifestyle tweaks, you can create a healthy environment where you can thrive, not your PCOS. We’ll explore what PCOS is and …
The Pill and the Female Athlete
At one point, the Pill was regarded as a major breakthrough for female athletes; being “in control” of their cycle and avoiding pregnancy was not only empowering for women athletes, but it allowed them to be more involved in sports and other athletic endeavors. In fact, many women athletes that …
What is IAP?
Key Differences between IAP regulation, Valsalva, and Bearing Down One thing active pregnant mamas constantly hear is to be careful not to increase intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) because it will cause a diastasis or pelvic floor disorders. This is most common in the mamas who lift and exercise during pregnancy. While …
Links We Love: Linking to Evidenced Based Research and Awesome Sites
At BIRTHFIT we believe resources that give up to date, unbiased, and inclusive information are the best. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of favorite sites and resources for your reference. This list is broken down into each pillar so that you can see how BIRTHFIT can support you in …
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Pregnancy
Have you ever experienced a numbing, tingling, or throbbing sensation in your thumb or first three fingers of your hand while pregnant or postpartum? Have you had trouble performing fine motor skills such as gripping objects or buttoning a shirt? Does it feel like your hand has fallen asleep or …
“Too Fit” is Not the Problem
Recently, I was attending a birth as a doula. You should know that at this point in my career, I only take on doula clients that do the work and choose to be “birth fit”. This means preparing mind, body, and soul for this monumental transition and planning for the …
Your Coach Got You to the Games BUT THEY ARE MISSING THE POINT
You made it to the CrossFit Games or USA Nationals. Hell, maybe you made it to the Olympics. You’re fit as fuck and/or a professional athlete. The whole world knows. You identify as an athlete. What got you to the Olympic stage? Who was with you along the journey? Were …
Obstacles to Exercising While Breastfeeding*
*Although it is possible to breastfeed while exercising (baby-weighted lunges are killer!), this post is in reference to exercising in general while being a lactating mama. As a birth-world-movement that includes “Fitness” as one of our Four Pillars, we often meet women who believe they cannot, or worse, should …
Why Kegels Aren’t the End All Be All
“Kegel” has become a household name since its introduction in women’s health in 1948. Developed by Arnold Kegel, gynecologist, the exercise was originally prescribed for treatment of stress urinary incontinence and is now blasted across the internet and unfortunately in many clinics, as the way to “cure” pelvic floor dysfunction …
Absolute Nos for Pregnancy and Postpartum in the Gym
It was brought to my attention that our blog doesn’t specifically state absolutely “DO NOT DO THESE MOVEMENTS DURING PREGNANCY or POSTPARTUM.” If you’re an athlete working with a BIRTHFIT Regional Director or BIRTHFIT Coach, you’re covered. If you’re following BIRTHFIT Prenatal Programming or any of our BIRTHFIT Postpartum Programs, …