Estrogen is a sex hormone that is critical for maintaining your sexual and reproductive health. Estrogen plays an important role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., changes often seen in puberty), menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Increasing Fertility
So! You’ve decided to take the leap into trying to conceive. As a very exciting (and sometimes nerve wracking!) time, a lot of things may feel overwhelming at first.
Here at Recharged PT, we’ve got all things pregnancy covered.
In the past, we have covered everything from what to expect each trimester to how to safely exercise and eat while pregnant. We have gotten into postpartum care and even the so-called “fourth trimester.” But another important factor to consider in your pregnancy journey is what to do before you get pregnant. Your lifestyle, mood and overall health can have a tremendous effect on your fertility and ability to conceive. And that is what we are here to talk about today. Aside from the mental, emotional, and relational dynamics involved in making this decision, your physical well-being is just as vital!
Bladder Prolapse
Cystocele (SIS-toe-seel) is when the bladder drops from its usual position and presses on the vaginal wall. A type of pelvic organ prolapse, cystocele or anterior vaginal prolapse, can occur if the pelvic floor muscles are weak, the organ is not in the correct spot in the pelvis in general (especially post child birth) or if there is too much pressure put on the pelvic floor. Common causes of a prolapsed bladder include repetitive stress over time (e.g., coughing, improper lifting) or during vaginal childbirth.
3rd Trimester Fun!
The final trimester is all about growth and preparation – for you and baby! This can be another physically and emotionally challenging time as you prepare for birth; balance feelings like excitement, fatigue, and worry; and experience physical discomfort as the baby grows. This is also generally the time that you take lactation and birth prep classes.
2nd Trimester
Often dubbed the “honeymoon period,” your second trimester lasts from 13 weeks to 28 weeks. Generally by this point, expecting mamas have settled into their bodies and emotions a bit more. The morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings that made the first trimester so hard often go away for people at this stage… but not for all of our mamas.
A lot of changes continue to occur quickly during this time – both for you and your growing baby. So let’s talk about it.
1st Trimester of Pregnancy
Overall, the first trimester of pregnancy is all about change and your growth: your body and your baby’s. It is also a time of variability in symptoms, emotions, and adjusting to a new stage of life. It is important to be gentle with yourself during this time and do things to keep yourself healthy, happy and whole!
After Surgery- Post Op
Today we are talking about how to care for yourself after you have surgery- this could be anything from a C-Section to a knee replacement. The info contained here isn’t super specific but that doesn’t make it any less important!!
Having surgery and recovering from it can be a very challenging process physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you elect to have it done or the procedure is absolutely vital to your health and well-being, surgery is trauma to your body: it takes a toll.
The Skinny on Hormonal Health
Hormones are produced chemically by different glands throughout the body, such as your adrenal glands or sweat glands, to keep you as close to homeostasis as possible. This can include everything from the stress response with cortisol (which we’ve covered before) to hormones that affect digestion, temperature regulation, and mood. The pituitary gland, located deep in the brain, is the “puppet master” that controls the release of how much hormone and when to keep the body functioning.
Pelvic Health and Pelvic Floor Therapy in Melbourne, Florida. Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Dr. Sky
Pregnancy & Exercise
Overall, physical activity is highly encouraged for most pregnant women – particularly if you are low-risk. Everyone can benefit from exercise in some form within certain precautions. The most important part is that it feels good to you.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Melbourne, FL. Pelvic Health Rehab. Pregnancy. Pregnancy and Exercise
Thinking of getting Pregnant?
The decision to become pregnant can be an exciting and (maybe slightly) scary time. In a perfect world, everything in your life would line up perfectly when you make the decision to expand your family... but we all know this is easier said than done. Check out our short step list for beginning your fertility journey!
Breath Work
Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath for a moment when life becomes too stressful or chaotic or overwhelming. But have you ever noticed how you take that deep breath?
Here at Recharged PT, we’ve talked *a lot* before about the importance of appropriate core engagement for pelvic health. This includes learning how to breathe properly. So today we are going back to the basics to learn how to breathe.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Melbourne FL, Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Pelvic Rehab
Best Tools to use in Labor
Hi Everyone! Here are our favorite tools to use to assist with pain and hip movement during labor. The more you can handle the pain & the more movement your hips can do- the better and faster your labor will be!
We carry all of these things with us when we do Birth Support for our Mama’s!!
To find these on Amazon- just click on the photo!
Kegels
There is a reason that Kegels are considered the classic pelvic floor exercise. They are very effective for a lot of pelvic floor issues — when done correctly for the right type of dysfunction. So before you start doing them, make sure they are the right exercises for you by chatting with a pelvic floor PT first.
Obturator Internus Pelvic Floor Pain
The Obturator Internus (OI) is a muscle that sits deep in the hip girdle, running from the front of the pubic bones and inserting onto the greater trochanter (the top bony part of the thigh bone). The OI is a deep hip stabilizer, which means it helps stabilize the head of the femur (thigh bone) to keep it in socket. This muscle is also responsible for external rotation – or rolling out– of the hip and thigh. Additionally, the OI shares a fascial connection to most, if not all, of the deep pelvic floor muscles. People with dysfunction of the Obturator Internus often complete of a deep groin, hip or back pain that won’t go away with regular stretching.
Pelvic Health, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Exercises, Pelvic Pain, Pain with Intercourse, Melbourne, FL, Postpartum, Postpartum Rehab, Pee Leakage, Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Recharged Performance Therapy
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence occurs when you have a sudden desire to go to the bathroom due a very quick and powerful bladder contraction. This is sometimes followed by the involuntary loss of urine before you can make it to a toilet. Urge incontinence (UI) is characterized by the need to go often throughout the day – especially at night (nocturia) – with small amounts of urine actually released. “Frequent” means more than 8x during the day and >2 at night. Enuresis (bed wetting) may also occur.
Pelvic Health, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Exercises, Urge Incontinence, Melbourne, FL, Postpartum, Postpartum Rehab, Pee Leakage, Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Recharged Performance Therapy
Vestibulodynia- Pain at the Opening of the Vagina
Vestibulodynia is chronic pain or discomfort that occurs around the opening to the vagina: the vestibule is where the lips of the vulva meet your vagina. It is a very sensitive part of your body and contains multiple glands to help with lubrication/discharge as well as the urethra. Pain may occur when the area is touched, during sex, when using a tampon or other certain movements like prolonged sitting. The area may even be chronically red and inflamed.
Your Brain and Your Body Need REST
Superfoods for Your Pelvic Floor
An important subset of the physical component is what we eat: the type of fuel we give our bodies directly affects how we move through the world. Both physically and mentally.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Melbourne FL, Dr. Paige, Recharged Performance Therapy, Recharged Pelvic Floor
Stop Peeing Every 5 Minutes!
It is normal for most people to go to the bathroom six to eight times per day – maybe more if you drink a lot of water. IT IS NOT NORMAL for you to go to the bathroom more than every 2 hours UNLESS you have something that causes Bladder Irritation.
So what is Bladder irritation? This is where the inside lining of the bladder (this inside lining closely resembles the inside of your mouth) gets irritated and causes the bladder to contract.
Pelvic Floor rehabilitation, Pelvic Floor PT, Pee Leakage, Urinary Frequency, Incontinence, Dr. Paige, Recharged Performance Therapy
Mommy Tummy- Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is a condition normally seen at the end of pregnancy and after birth. It is normal until about 12 weeks postpartum. If you are still experiencing a “gap” after 12 weeks, you need to see a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist for Diastasis Recti!
Good News- There is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist for you here in Melbourne, FL!