The Pelvic Health Podcast

Pelvic pain care doesn’t just involve patients learning to feel safe, it demands clinicians feel regulated too.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Thea Bowler, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist with advanced training in pelvic pain, pain management, and laparoscopic surgery. Thea combines evidence-based medicine with a compassionate, whole-person approach, helping patients and practitioners understand that true healing begins with safety and awareness of the nervous system.

Alongside her is Paula Hindle, a physiotherapist and educator known for her integrative, nervous-system-informed approach to pelvic health. Paula blends movement, breath, and body connection with trauma-informed care, helping women (and the clinicians who treat them) move from protection into trust and ease.

Together, this powerhouse duo from Vera Wellness discuss the nervous system’s role in pelvic pain, and how their new resource supports both patients and practitioners. We explore what it means for clinicians to regulate themselves, how that helps prevent burnout, and why our own state directly influences patient outcomes. Unfortunately we are missing the wonderful Dr. Peta Wright, who is part of this brilliant team and founder of Vera.

This conversation is for anyone treating or living with pelvic pain — and for every practitioner who needs the reminder that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Vera Education Links here

On this episode of The Pelvic Health Podcast we were joined by Dr Laura Whitburn, Senior Lecturer and researcher at La Trobe University, to explore The Meaning of Labour Pain and the groundbreaking research behind it. Dr Whitburn’s work reframes labour pain—showing that the way women interpret and give meaning to pain during childbirth plays a pivotal role in their experience and coping, and that pain perceived as purposeful and productive is often associated with greater resilience and more positive outcomes. Drawing on qualitative studies and contemporary pain science, she highlights how social context, mindset, and supportive care can shape women’s pain experiences in labour. Tune in to hear her insights on how this research can empower women and inform more woman-centred approaches to childbirth.

Enjoy!! And find her research here: Dr Laura Whitburn

Part 2 is finally ready for everyone to listen to - or watch on YouTube!

If you haven't listened to or watched Part 1, head back catch up, this is our continued conversation. Jo, Tam and myself dive further into my PhD studies - looking at pelvic floor symptoms between women doing CrossFit and women only running, objectively assessing pelvic floor support in supine versus standing, and more of the ins and outs of a PhD.

We also discuss some more benefits of transperineal ultrasound in the clinic. For more info on learning this:

Lori's online courses HERE

Tam's wonderful PELVIC HEALTH COMMUNITY

Jo: The Physiotherapy Clinic

Lori's PhD THESIS!!!!

Enjoy!

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🎙️

We're thrilled to share our conversation with Alison Deslandes, specialist sonographer and endometriosis researcher, who's breaking down the game-changing role of ultrasound in endometriosis detection. If you are missing out on the current action at the World Congress on Endo, catch her here and stalk her on insta.

✨ In this episode, we dive into:

For too long, women have been told their pain is "normal" or that nothing shows up on standard scans. Alison explains why specialized training and dedicated endo ultrasound clinics are crucial for getting the answers women deserve.

This is essential listening for anyone navigating an endo diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or working in women's health. Knowledge is power, and proper diagnosis is the first step toward better care.

Link in bio to listen now! 🎧

Find Ali: 

https://aliultrasound.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/aliultrasound/

https://imagendo.org.au/

#EndometriosisAwareness #WomensHealth #Ultrasound #MedicareRebate #EndoWarrior #PodcastEpisode #HealthAdvocacy #SpecialistCare #DiagnosisMatters #Australia

In Part 1 of this special series, Jo and Tam flip the script and interview the newly Dr. Lori Forner about her PhD research on exercise-based heavy lifting, pelvic organ support, and the use of transperineal ultrasound in physiotherapy.

We explore her research, specifically exercise-based heavy lifting and pelvic organ support in Part 1 where the next episode (Part 2) discusses the use of transperineal ultrasound in physiotherapy and her research exploring assessment positions.

💡 Grounded in evidence, clinically relevant, and just the beginning...

🎥 And we’re now on YouTube! You can watch this episode there too!

Don't forget about the upcoming PB Conference in Sydney, June 13, 2025. Check it out HERE and register!

We are back for 2024 (better late than never) with an interesting talk about female genital cutting (previously known as FGM - female genital mutilation) with Dr Greg Jenkins.

Today’s episode is a tough but important episode. We discuss female genital cutting previously known as female genital mutilation in Australia. We have had the absolute privilege of talking to Dr Greg Jenkins, who was an OBGYN at Auburn hospital when they were first confronted with women in labour who had immigrated from countries where this cultural tradition continues. They looked around for pregnancy and birth guidelines for this population of women but couldn’t find any, so went about creating them, with some exceptional outcomes for these women.  

https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Female-Genital-Mutilation-FGM.pdf

Today’s episode discusses the deeply sensitive topic of stillbirth. We understand that discussing this subject can be distressing or triggering for those who have experienced loss, are currently dealing with pregnancy complications, or are currently pregnant.

In this episode, we chat with a long-time physiotherapy colleague and friend of Lori's, Heidi Mules. She shares her personal story about the birth of her daughter Sophie, risks for stillbirth, better communication during and after pregnancy, and healing. 

You can read more about Heidi's story here

Please use the following resources to help you and others:

Sands - miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support

Still Aware - prevention-focused charity

CRE Safer Baby Bundle - for clinicians

Precious Wings - memory boxes

Born Ready

What is the vagus nerve? What is the polyvagal theory? Why should we care? Isn't it controversial? The one and only, Michelle Lyons, will answer these questions and sooooo much more on this episode (think: behaviour change for patients, how do we as clinicians avoid burnout, etc).

For those of you who have been listening to this podcast, you will be very familiar with previous episodes on menopause and endometriosis. You will also be familiar with her generosity - and keeping in line with that, she is giving listeners a 20% discount on her online courses until the end of August 2023 - use the code "Phpodcast" !!! 

Michelle's Website and PODCAST

The Pelvic Health Community - JOIN US NOW!

PB Endo Conference 2023

In The Clinic today with Jo: palpating and cueing EUS (external urethral sphincter).

Don't forget about the upcoming Brisbane Endo conference in October - tickets selling faaaaaast:

PB Endo conference!!!!

And of course checking out The Pelvic Health Community!!!!:

https://the-pelvic-health-community.mn.co/share/M6n01bTZgpvV9J1s?utm_source=manual

The paper Jo is discussing:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30870081/

For extra knowledge in this area, you can learn from us here...

Online:

2D Transperineal Ultrasound in Females: A tool for pelvic floor physios

Face-to-face:

2D Transperineal Ultrasound in Females: A tool for pelvic floor physios