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In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series
 Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with:

Sandra Whittle, pelvic health physiotherapist and inventor of SomaFlex—a device designed to provide a softer, more flexible approach to internal pelvic support.

SomaFlex was developed to offer an alternative to more rigid internal devices by using a multi-directional, shape-shifting design that blends with the body’s tissues.

We cover:
  • how SomaFlex works mechanically (flexible intravaginal support)
  • how it differs from traditional pessaries
  • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)
  • how sizing and fitting works
  • how to use it correctly and common mistakes
  • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity

Time Stamps:

1:00 introduction

2:45 how SOMA started

8:48 who this is for

10:34 real life application

16:07 common misunderstandings

20:36 dealing with birth injuries

22:51 quick fire questions

SomaFlex is available as a starter kit and single units, designed for independent use and flexible wear depending on activity level.

💲 Starter Kit: ~£80
 💲 Single Unit: ~£60

Discount Code: CP10 (10% off purchase)
 Website:https://somalives.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes.

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

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In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series
 Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with:

Lauren Fleming, Founder @HEM Support Wear—an external pelvic floor support device company based out of Central Texas (just outside Austin).

HEM Support Wear is a woman-founded pelvic health company redefining what support looks and feels like. After developing pelvic organ prolapse following the birth of her first child, Lauren couldn’t find a discreet, comfortable option that actually helped—so she created one.

We cover:
 • how the device works mechanically
 • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)
 • how to use and fit it in real life
 • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity

Time Stamps:

1:00 Introduction

2:30 the founding of HEM

4:21 how HEM works

6:30 who this is for

9:31 real world use

12:332 common misconceptions

15:37 rapid fire questions

HEM’s patented support garment uses an internal support panel to gently lift and support the pelvic floor—designed to integrate into daily life rather than feel like a brace or medical device.

Their devices are currently available online via their website, with shipping across the U.S. and internationally (Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada).

💲 ~$70–$130 (varies by product type and bundle)

💻 DISCOUNT CODE: $15 off with code ACTIVEMOM15
🔗https://hemsupportwear.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes.

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series
Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with:

Jeanice Mitchell, Inventor @myPelvicBra—an external pelvic floor support device company based out of Central Texas (Killeen).

As a pelvic floor physical therapist with prolapse herself, she set out to create a device that offered supportive, discreet, external lift—something she couldn’t find in existing pelvic health products.

We cover:
 • how the device works mechanically
 • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)
 • how to use and fit it in real life
 • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity

Time Stamps:

1:00 introduction

3:15 how My Pelvic Bra was founded

7:00 how it works

12:31 who is this for

16:17 real world use

20:55 common misconceptions

25:19 rapid fire questions

Their devices are currently available online via their website and Amazon, with global shipping (where DHL ships).

💲 ~$49-$79 USD (depending on style and configuration)

Discount Code: Active25 (25% off your first product)
Website:https://mypelvicbra.shop

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes.

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series
 Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with:

Sinead O’Donovan, Founder SRCHealth—an external pelvic floor support garment company based out of Port Melbourne, Australia.

After experiencing significant pelvic girdle pain and postpartum recovery challenges, Sinead set out to create a garment that could provide functional, comfortable support for women navigating pregnancy and recovery.

We cover:
  • how SRC garments work mechanically (panel-based compression)
  • the role of perineal support in symptom management
  • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)
  • how to properly measure and fit the garment
  • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity

Time Stamps:

1:00 introduction

3:30 founding SRC

6:49 explaining different support garments

12:05 who these are for

15:45 testing and research

17:46 real-world use

23:19 answering common concerns

SRC garments are designed to provide gentle, sustained compression—not high-pressure “shapewear”—to support muscle activation, symptom reduction, and recovery across pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Their products are available worldwide via their website and through clinicians trained in fitting and prescription.

💲 ~$180–$220 (AUD) ≈ $115–$145 USD (depending on exchange rate)

Discount Code: https://srchealth.com/?ref=ACTIVEMOM10 (10% off any purchase)
Website:https://srchealth.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes.

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series
Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with:

Rosie Dumbrell, physiotherapist and founder of Everform Therapywear—a company developing compression garments designed specifically for pelvic floor support.

Everform uses a targeted compression system (Femcore™ technology) to provide more support to the pelvic floor and lower abdomen—aiming to improve symptoms like leakage, heaviness, and pelvic girdle pain.

We cover:
 • how Everform works mechanically (pelvic floor-first compression + lift effect)
 • how it differs from traditional shapewear or compression
 • who it may be a good fit for (pregnancy, postpartum, active women, perimenopause)
 • how to properly fit and wear the garments
 • common mistakes and troubleshooting
 • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity

Time Stamps:

1:00 Introduction

2:47 how Everform started

6:20 how it works

10:27 who it’s for

15:53 how to get it

19:59 research involved in design

23:37 quick fire questions

Everform garments are designed for daily wear and activity, with options ranging from underwear to full compression leggings.

Their products are available globally via their website and through clinician-supported fitting.

💲 ~$99–$159 AUD (~$65–$105 USD)
 Discount Code: ACTIVEMOM15 ($15 off your purchase)
 Website: https://everformwear.com.au

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes.

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this conversation, I’m joined again by Melissa Davidson, specialist pelvic health physiotherapist, clinical educator, and PhD, to go deeper into the clinical realities of pelvic organ prolapse, levator ani avulsions, and pessary use.

This episode moves beyond definitions and into what actually matters in practice: clinical decision-making, patient education, and navigating an evolving pelvic health landscape where access is expanding—but not always with the training to support it.

We talk about how to explain complex diagnoses in a way patients can actually understand, why accurate assessment matters, and how clinicians can balance symptom management with long-term capacity building.

We also unpack the growing conversation around pessaries—including types, fitting considerations, complications, and the rise of over-the-counter options—and what that means for both patients and providers.

This is a nuanced conversation about where pelvic health care is right now… and where it still needs to go.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Different types of pessaries and how they’re used 
•  What levator avulsions are (and why they matter) 
•  Clinical decision-making in prolapse care 
•  Potential complications and limitations of pessary use 
•  The importance of provider training and ongoing education 
•  What “high tone” actually means (and why it’s often misunderstood) 
•  The role of mental health and psychological support in pelvic floor conditions

Time Stamps

1:00 avulsions explained

7:05 proper diagnoses of pelvic floor issues

14:00 over-the-counter pessaries

20:55 cutting through the marketing

29:33 expanding access while preserving quality care

33:33 what we don’t know

40:26 how the research changes clinical practice

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH MELISSA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelissapelvicphysio/

Website: https://www.drmelissadavidson.com/

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Davidson, specialist physiotherapist in pelvic health, clinical educator, and PhD, to break down some of the most misunderstood topics in pelvic health. From prolapse to levator avulsions to the role of pessaries, this conversation focuses on what’s actually happening in the body and how we can move away from fear-based messaging toward informed, empowering care.

We discuss the reality of anatomical changes, what “normal” really means, and why modification is often more helpful than restriction. Melissa shares clinical insight on assessing and managing prolapse, understanding tissue changes, and helping women feel more confident in their bodies across different life stages, including menopause.

We talk about:

-Modification over restriction

-The role and use of pessaries

-Normal anatomical changes

-The importance of proper measurements

-Tearing and levator avulsions

-HRT considerations in menopause

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

6:58 the reality of prolapse

17:04 the anatomy of a prolapse

21:53 understanding what “normal” means

27:45 empowering women before birth

31:15 tearing and avulsions

38:18 the perineum

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH MELISSA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelissapelvicphysio/

Website: https://www.drmelissadavidson.com/

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

What if improving postpartum care in the U.S. didn’t cost anything—but still hasn’t happened?

In this episode, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist and advocate Gail Zitterkopf, PT, DPT to break down the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act (H.R. 4074)—and why it matters more than most people realize.

We get into what this bill actually does, how systems like Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP shape access to care, and why pelvic floor therapy is still missing from standard pregnancy and postpartum support. The surprising part? This bill has been scored at zero cost—and still hasn’t passed. 

This conversation is about more than policy—it’s about access, awareness, and what it will take to move women’s health forward.

In this episode, we cover:

•  What the Postpartum Care Bill (H.R. 4074) actually means 
•  The role of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP in postpartum care 
•  Why gaps in care still exist—and what needs to change 
•  How to contact your representatives and support the bill 
•  Why your story matters in advocacy

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

3:30 origins of the bill

8:15 explaining the bill

11:50 actions you can take

19:00 increasing awareness 

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH GAIL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aptapelvic/

Resource links:

1. Bill As Entered into Federal Register: H.R.4074 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
2. Academy Letter Template and Resources: https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/hr4074  

Contact your legislators

1. House: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
2. Senate: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
3. APTA advocacy resources
4. Website: https://www.apta.org/advocacy
5. App:  APTA Advocacy App

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

What does pregnancy and postpartum really look like for female athletes—especially at the elite level?

And more importantly… are we still treating it like a problem to manage instead of a phase to train through?

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, I sit down with Emma Brockwell, pelvic health physiotherapist working at the highest levels of women’s sport—including Women’s Super League football, FIFA, and the Netball Super League.

Emma has been at the forefront of shifting the conversation around pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and return to sport—not just in clinical settings, but on the field with professional athletes.

She’s also:

• Co-founder of The Athletic Female
• Co-author of the 2019 UK Postpartum Return to Running Guideline
• Author of Why Did No One Tell Me?

This conversation goes beyond rehab timelines and checklists.

We get into the evolution of care—from fear-based, overly cautious approaches to a more modern, performance-informed model that respects both physiology and athletic identity.

We talk about:

• The old model vs the new model of pregnancy & postpartum care in athletes
• What’s actually happening with female pro athletes during pregnancy and postpartum
• Why fear-based messaging is still showing up—and how to move beyond it
• How to maintain play and training during pregnancy (not just “stay active”)
• Navigating hyperemesis and exercise
• Why avoiding deconditioning matters more than we think
• The ongoing debate around relaxin and injury risk
• What clinicians and coaches often miss when supporting postpartum athletes

Research We Discuss:

• “Kicking Off Motherhood: Considering Return to Play Postpartum in the Footballer”
  Sports Medicine, August 25, 2025
• “Pregnant Pitches: Navigating Football Before and During Pregnancy”
  Sports Medicine, August 25, 2025
• “Stepping into Play: a FIFA decision aid for football participation after childbirth”
  British Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2026

These papers are helping reshape how we think about return to play—not as a fixed timeline, but as a decision-making process grounded in context, capacity, and the individual athlete.

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share:

If this episode changed how you think about pregnancy, postpartum, or return to sport—share it with a coach, clinician, or athlete who needs to hear it.

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

8:25 the rise of the professional female athlete

15:29 investigations risks of contact 

20:40 making individual decisions

27:43 taking the comparison out of pregnancy

35:13 breastfeeding and injuries

43:40 the importance of sleep

47:30 RED-s and low energy availability

57:17 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH EMMA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physiomumuk/

Website: www.physiomum.co.uk

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

What does it actually look like to keep running when life shifts in a big way — like pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and becoming a parent?

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Norris — certified running coach, science writer, and co-host of the Tread Lightly Podcast. Laura has coached more than 500 runners, from brand-new runners to podium finishers, and is known for bringing a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to training. You may also recognize her work from Runner’s World, NPR Life Kit, Outside, GQ, Self, and Shape, or from her long-running website and Substack.

But this conversation isn’t just about coaching theory.

Laura shares what it was like to move through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the transition into motherhood while continuing to run, coach athletes, and rethink what training and performance look like in a new season of life.

We talk about the messy middle — the recalibration that happens when your body, priorities, sleep, and identity are all shifting at once.

This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about running, motherhood, mental health, and the evolving relationship many women have with sport over time.

We talk about:

• Running through pregnancy and postpartum
• Learning to listen to your body when expectations and reality don’t match
• The identity shift that can come with transitioning into motherhood
• Recognizing and talking openly about postpartum depression
• Getting your kids outside and building a family culture around movement
• How Laura’s coaching philosophy has evolved after becoming a mom

If you’re navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or the early years of motherhood while trying to stay connected to running, this conversation will likely feel very familiar.

And if you coach runners? Laura shares some great perspective on how lived experience changes the way we guide others.

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

2:18 distilling studies in a concise way

5:09 navigating running and motherhood

12:33 having a breech baby

16:17 recovering from a c-section

22:28 handling different stages of childhood

29:15 finding yourself in motherhood

34:20 being a running coach

38:43 collaborations on the podcast

43:50 exposure and normalization

48:03 rapid fir questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH LAURA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/

Website: https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌