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In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy https://www.ladybirdpt.com/ in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most underappreciated tools in women’s health. This conversation bridges the gap between medical rehab and high-performance coaching—essential listening for strength coaches, pregnant athletes, and anyone working with women in the gym.

00:00 - Intro & how Becky got involved with Starting Strength Austin

01:15 - Lifting workshop recap & Becky’s team background

03:27 - What is pelvic health PT?

05:04 - Why Becky started Lady Bird PT

07:12 - Pregnancy isn’t a problem to manage—training is essential

10:00 - Medical conservatism, strength, and female physiology

13:23 - Training during pregnancy: Becky’s and Nick’s coaching experience

16:36 - What guidelines should lifters follow?

20:20 - What symptoms matter and how to respond

22:55 - Exercise modifications & movement adjustments

24:58 - The role of energy availability during pregnancy

26:07 - Postpartum recovery: timelines and expectations

29:54 - Real-world coaching after pregnancy

32:03 - Strength persists post-pregnancy

34:12 - Weighing health vs. aesthetic goals postpartum

35:16 - Strength training protects pelvic health

37:24 - Stress incontinence: how coaches should think about it

41:08 - Common causes & symptoms

44:25 - What coaches can ask—and what’s in their scope

46:35 - How and when to modify training for stress incontinence

51:18 - Proper Valsalva vs. bearing down

54:03 - Practical breathing cues to reduce pelvic stress

55:35 - Do Kegels work? It depends

59:18 - Are there standard pelvic floor strengthening protocols?

1:00:52 - When to refer out to pelvic PT

1:03:42 - Understanding prolapse & how to respond

1:07:28 - What is a pessary and who might benefit from one?

1:08:29 - How to contact Dr. Becky Maidansky

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