The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health

Pregnancy doesn't have to mean suffering through pain until delivery day. In this myth-busting episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Christina Prevett tackles one of pregnancy's most common yet misunderstood challenges: pelvic girdle pain.

Between 50-75% of pregnant individuals experience muscle aches and pain, particularly around the pelvis. But the common advice to "just wait until the baby comes" or dismissing it as "normal pregnancy discomfort" prevents many from finding the relief they deserve. Christina systematically dismantles four harmful myths about pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, including the widespread misconception that the hormone relaxin is solely to blame.

What's really happening when pregnancy causes pelvic pain? Christina explains how pregnancy shifts the balance between our body's static supports (ligaments) and dynamic supports (muscles), requiring our hip, inner thigh, and pelvic floor muscles to work harder. This understanding transforms how we approach treatment—instead of resting completely, strategic strengthening becomes crucial.

Through practical modification strategies, supportive equipment recommendations, and specific strengthening exercises, Christina provides a comprehensive approach to managing pain during pregnancy. She shares her personal experience with pelvic girdle pain during both her pregnancies, demonstrating how active management rather than passive waiting led to quick relief.

Whether you're currently pregnant and struggling with pain or a fitness professional working with pregnant clients, this episode delivers actionable strategies to transform the pregnancy experience from one of endurance to empowerment. Your pregnancy journey doesn't have to include unmanaged pain—there are evidence-based solutions waiting for you.

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For active women who've experienced that embarrassing leak during a heavy lift, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about pelvic floor function. Diving deep into the science of bracing mechanics, Christina Previtt unravels the fascinating relationship between breath, core tension, and pelvic health that revolutionizes how we approach strength training.

Forget the simplistic advice to "just do more Kegels." Research reveals a surprising truth: women who experience incontinence during lifting often have stronger pelvic floors than those who don't. Christina explains why coordination—not weakness—is frequently the real culprit, and how understanding the entire core canister system transforms both rehabilitation and performance.

The Valsalva maneuver (that instinctive breath hold during heavy efforts) has been unnecessarily vilified, especially for pregnant and postpartum women. Christina presents compelling evidence that this natural bracing strategy isn't inherently problematic—it's a trainable skill that, when properly executed, can actually support pelvic health while enhancing performance.

Whether you're an expecting mother concerned about safe lifting, a postpartum athlete working to rebuild your foundation, or simply someone who wants to lift without leaking, this episode provides actionable insights that bridge the all-too-common gap between rehabilitation and performance training. By understanding how proper bracing distributes pressure throughout your core system rather than directing it downward, you'll discover how to protect your pelvic floor while still challenging yourself in the gym.

Ready to transform both how you think about and how you feel during your lifts? This episode might just be the missing piece in your training and recovery puzzle. Subscribe to Barbell Mamas for more evidence-based conversations at the intersection of motherhood, strength, and pelvic health—where we're redefining what's possible for athletic women through every stage of life.

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The comparison trap is real, and it's especially potent in the pregnancy and postpartum space. As someone who's been both celebrated and criticized for weightlifting through pregnancy and competing just months after giving birth, I've witnessed firsthand how social media creates unrealistic expectations.

When that ultramarathon runner went viral for nursing her baby throughout a 100-mile race, I saw the same pattern unfold again: celebration quickly followed by a wave of women feeling inadequate about their different journeys. While I'll always celebrate these extraordinary athletic feats, there's something critical we're missing in these conversations.

Nobody's sharing the full picture online. That runner who makes postpartum recovery look effortless? She might be managing prolapse symptoms. The CrossFit athlete back at the gym three weeks after birth? She might be there because exercise is keeping severe postpartum depression at bay. I know because that was my story – competing while managing hypertension, incontinence, and painful intercourse. The highlight reel never shows these struggles.

The beautiful paradox is that these extreme cases have actually expanded possibilities for all mothers. Five years ago, I was told lifting weights would harm my baby. Today, because boundary-pushers documented their journeys, medical professionals can offer personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all restrictions. When we normalize various exercise intensities during pregnancy and postpartum, everyone benefits – from the yoga enthusiast to the competitive weightlifter.

What looks like symptom-free recovery is often strategic movement as rehabilitation. Current research increasingly supports earlier return to activity for both physical healing and mental health benefits, particularly in preventing postpartum depression and anxiety. Instead of assuming exercise indicates a "perfect" recovery, consider that it might be someone's medicine.

If you've felt the sting of comparison when your journey hasn't matched those perfect Instagram posts, you're not alone. Your timeline is valid whether it's three weeks or three years. Mute accounts that trigger you, find guidance that meets you where you are, and remember – behind every social media success story is a complex reality we're never fully seeing.

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Have you been told to wait six weeks before returning to exercise after having your baby? This long-established guideline is being challenged by new research and expert consensus. As a pelvic floor physical therapist, CrossFit athlete, and mom of two, I'm pulling back the curtain on what early postpartum recovery really looks like and why that six-week rule deserves a serious update.

The postpartum period often feels like whiplash—from constant medical attention during pregnancy to suddenly feeling abandoned once baby arrives. While your newborn gets thoroughly examined, your recovery becomes an afterthought, typically reduced to a brief check at six weeks postpartum. But what about those crucial early weeks when everything feels strange and uncertain in your body?

In this deeply personal episode, I share my own Mother's Day reflections (including the moment my child spilled water on my laptop!) before diving into the transformative potential of early pelvic floor physical therapy. Around two weeks postpartum, these appointments provide more than just physical assessment—they offer space to process your birth story without judgment, clarify which sensations are normal versus concerning, and develop a personalized plan for returning to movement.

You'll learn why feeling heaviness around your vagina doesn't necessarily mean prolapse, why your core feels foreign after birth, and why gentle early movement can significantly benefit your mental health without harming your recovery. Drawing from both research and clinical experience, I explain how my own family history of postpartum depression shaped my approach to postpartum exercise and why current evidence supports a more individualized timeline for return to activity.

Whether you're currently navigating the fourth trimester, planning for a future pregnancy, or supporting someone who is, this episode provides crucial information that's often missing from standard postpartum care. Ready to transform how you think about recovery after birth? Listen now, and let's reclaim the postpartum journey together.

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Interested in our programs? Check us out here! 

The journey toward understanding diastasis recti has been filled with misconceptions, fear, and outdated advice. As a pelvic floor physical therapist who's witnessed this evolution firsthand, I'm sharing why our approach to core health in pregnancy needs a complete reframe.

What exactly is diastasis recti? It's not a tear or split, but rather a normal lengthening of the tissue between your rectus (six-pack) muscles to accommodate your growing baby. For years, we've defined it as a gap wider than two finger widths during a head lift – but recent research shows over 57% of the general population has this "condition," whether they've been pregnant or not. When more than half of us have this supposed "dysfunction," perhaps we need to reconsider what's actually normal.

The advice to avoid all "coning" (that visible dome shape along your midline during exercise) has scared countless pregnant people away from maintaining their core strength. This fear-based approach often leads to unnecessary deconditioning that makes postpartum recovery harder, not easier. I've seen this both in my clinical practice and in my own pregnancies – the pregnant athletes who maintained appropriate strength training often bounce back faster, even if they experienced some coning along the way.

Leading experts like Diane Lee are now suggesting we need completely new frameworks – perhaps only considering gaps of four finger widths or greater as clinically meaningful, while also incorporating functional strength assessments and quality of life measures. The gap measurement alone tells us very little about how well your core functions or how you feel in your daily activities.

Ready to rethink everything you've been told about your core during pregnancy? Join me as we explore the science behind these changing perspectives and discover how to stay strong through pregnancy without unnecessary fear.

What have you been told about diastasis recti? Share your experience or questions, and let's continue this important conversation about pregnancy, strength, and our evolving understanding of what's truly normal.

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Having a strong brace is important for lifting heavy weights. It is a critical part of CrossFit, powerlifting and weightlifting. Not to mention just life. We use bracing when we move couches, pick up our kiddos etc.
 
 Weightlifting belts are a performance aid that really helps us to create stiffness through our midline to lift more as well.
 We did an entire video on it on our YouTube channel.

  Knowing HOW to brace and use a weightlifting belt though is super important for our pelvic floors AND our performance. 50% of women pee when they lift heavy weights.

That is a massive number! But there is things we can do about it. We break it all down in this week's podcast episode

If youre interested in learning specifica considerations for returning to bracing postpartum, check out our Barbells after Babies Webinar free. 

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Interested in our programs? Check us out here! 

When you're passionate about Olympic weightlifting, pregnancy doesn't mean you have to abandon the barbell—it means learning to adapt with intelligence and awareness. Christina Prevett breaks down the crucial modifications that keep both mom and baby safe while preserving hard-earned technique.

The conversation explores four key considerations every pregnant weightlifter needs to understand. First, contact points and bar path must adapt as your baby bump grows—not because contact is dangerous, but because forcing traditional positioning can develop technical habits that are difficult to break postpartum. Second, the speed and depth of squats require personalized modification based on how your changing body feels in these positions. Third, setup positions from the floor may need elevation or stance adjustments to accommodate your growing belly. Finally, breathing strategies can shift from traditional bracing to continuous exhales that maintain core stability while respecting pregnancy physiology.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical postpartum guidance. Christina explains why technique, not strength, becomes the limiting factor after delivery. The dramatic shift from pregnant to non-pregnant happens rapidly, leaving many athletes feeling disconnected from their body awareness. Starting with empty barbell work becomes crucial for proprioceptive retraining before adding load.

Special attention is given to C-section recovery, with innovative modifications like the "no contact snatch" that respect surgical healing while maintaining training consistency. The guidance extends to belt use timelines and core rehabilitation approaches that transfer directly to barbell performance.

Whether you're planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or navigating postpartum return, this episode provides the blueprint for maintaining your weightlifting practice safely through all phases of motherhood. Ready to keep the barbell in your life through pregnancy and beyond? This is your roadmap.

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You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here! 

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You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here! 

Christina Prevett shares powerful insights about pelvic floor issues in the military and advocates for better awareness and support for female service members. She connects her personal experience using exercise as a coping mechanism during difficult times to the importance of movement for pregnant and postpartum women's mental health.

• One in three female service members experience pelvic floor or genitourinary complaints
• Military physical testing and duties place significant demands on the pelvic floor
• Six key gaps exist in military support: lack of education, stigma, toilet access during deployment, urge suppression, menstrual cycle management, and pregnancy/postpartum fitness
• Research shows high-strain activities like paratrooper training can change vaginal wall mobility even in women who haven't given birth
• Pelvic floor issues can be categorized as "not strong enough," "not coordinated enough," or "too tight" syndromes
• Sexual trauma in military settings may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction
• Building resilience through proper mechanics and individualized rehabilitation is key for returning to duty after pregnancy
• These principles apply broadly to women in physically demanding occupations beyond the military

I hope you found that interesting. If you have any other questions or comments, let me know. Otherwise, have an incredible week and I will talk to you all next time.

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Revolutionary new research is transforming how we approach postpartum exercise, and it's about time we talk about it. The 2025 Canadian guidelines for physical activity throughout the first year postpartum have finally been published, and they're challenging outdated restrictions that have limited new mothers for generations.

As a pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher witnessing this paradigm shift firsthand, I'm sharing the ten key points from these groundbreaking guidelines that prioritize both physical and mental wellbeing. From encouraging early light activity immediately after birth to debunking myths about waiting 12 weeks for running, these evidence-based recommendations create space for women to trust their bodies and progress at their own pace.

The guidelines take a refreshingly holistic approach, acknowledging that the postpartum period presents unique challenges that might make exercise difficult. Rather than imposing rigid timelines, they advocate for individualized, symptom-based progression and emphasize that some movement is better than none. Most importantly, they recognize the critical role exercise plays in mental health recovery—something I experienced personally during my recent miscarriage journey, where running became my emotional lifeline. This research confirms what many mothers have intuitively known: movement matters for our minds as much as our bodies.

Curious about how these guidelines might change your approach to postpartum fitness? Download the full document from the British Journal of Sports Medicine website and join the conversation about reimagining recovery after childbirth. Share your thoughts and experiences—I'd love to hear how you're navigating your own return to movement!

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You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

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