Although the pandemic didn’t lead to the baby boom we anticipated in 2020/2021, news outlets and researchers are already predicting a boom for 2022! And while this news may not spark joy for all, it sure warms the heart of us Doctors of Physical Therapy who hold a passion for helping moms-to-be and new moms transition into the beautiful role of motherhood. As an orthopedic and pelvic floor therapist, I love helping and supporting women through all stages of this journey including pregnancy, miscarriage and child loss, post-partum, breastfeeding, surviving mothering littles, seasoned motherhood, and aging mothers who are still dealing with or starting to deal with the effects of baby-having on their bodies.
As one of my new year’s goals, I will be discussing topics related to motherhood in hopes to shed some light into how a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in this area can help you through your motherhood journey. Motherhood is beautiful, exhausting, exhilarating, terrifying, joyous, and maddening during most all stages – often times all in one day! And although you may be constantly being touched by another human being, it can be overwhelming isolating at times. There are so many sensitive topics that go along with motherhood from physical changes to mental health. Despite the fact that we don’t all talk about them openly, many of the moms around you are likely dealing with the same struggles as you.
Whether is be fear of pregnancy or labor/delivery, body pains, painful intercourse, leaking pee/poop, constipation, pelvic pressure or feeling like your insides are falling out, inability to participate in your normal activities, feeling less capable than pre-pregnancy, mental health changes like depression/anxiety/rage, changes in your body’s appearance, or lack of body confidence, there are providers who’s passion is to help you through these life changes – including THIS Doctor of Physical Therapy.
I encourage you this year to not sweep these issues under the rug. Reach out and get the help you deserve! Then tell your friends so they can get the help they deserve too. No symptom is too gross, no topic is too embarrassing, and no issue is too far gone. We are here to help and it is truly what we love to do! Stay tuned for more motherhood topics coming your way in 2022, and if you’re ready to tackle these tough issues call Life Changes Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment today!
-Dr. Chelsea Garvin