The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health
Christina Prevett
128 episodes
3 days ago
The internet turned pelvic floor training into a turf war—“always Kegels” on one side, “never Kegels” on the other. We cut through the noise with a clear, evidence-backed framework that shows how to build strength, practice relaxation, and keep moving with confidence through pregnancy. We start by grounding the conversation in what the research actually supports: pelvic floor muscle training can reduce postpartum urinary incontinence and help many pregnant athletes and recreational movers ma...
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The internet turned pelvic floor training into a turf war—“always Kegels” on one side, “never Kegels” on the other. We cut through the noise with a clear, evidence-backed framework that shows how to build strength, practice relaxation, and keep moving with confidence through pregnancy. We start by grounding the conversation in what the research actually supports: pelvic floor muscle training can reduce postpartum urinary incontinence and help many pregnant athletes and recreational movers ma...
Cesarean delivery affects one in three births in America, yet many expectant mothers remain unprepared for this possibility. As a pelvic floor physical therapist and athlete who has competed while pregnant, I'm pulling back the curtain on C-sections with compassion and expertise. The journey begins with addressing the emotional landscape. If you experienced an unplanned cesarean, hear this: you did not fail. You delivered your baby. This message resonates deeply with listeners who've felt di...
Exercise during pregnancy has long been shrouded in caution and confusion. What if many of the modifications we've been taught are unnecessary? Drawing from both cutting-edge research and personal experience through multiple pregnancies, this episode challenges conventional wisdom about prenatal exercise. The fitness landscape for pregnant women has dramatically evolved over the past decade. Where once pregnant women received advice limited to walking or gentle yoga, we now recognize the ben...
Pregnancy fitness has undergone a revolution. What was once a landscape of caution and restriction has transformed into one of empowerment and evidence-based freedom. In this candid exploration, pelvic floor physical therapist Christina Previtt shares both personal experience and cutting-edge research showing just how dramatically prenatal exercise recommendations have evolved. Remember when lifting anything over 20 pounds during pregnancy was considered dangerous? When heart rate limits wer...
That positive pregnancy test changes everything—suddenly you're questioning your exercise routine, wondering if you need to modify, and trying to navigate the world of first trimester symptoms while maintaining your identity as an active person. For athletic women, this period can be especially challenging as you balance your love for movement with new physical limitations. The nausea, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting that often peak around six weeks can derail even the most dedicated fitness...
Motherhood transforms our bodies, our fitness routines, and our expectations – especially when we're thinking about adding another baby to the mix. That second pregnancy truly "hits different," and preparing for it requires special consideration if you're an active woman who loves to exercise. Drawing from my experience as both a pelvic floor physical therapist and an athlete who has competed in CrossFit and weightlifting through multiple pregnancies, I explore the crucial elements of prepar...
Ever wonder if all those interrupted workouts and chaotic fitness sessions while raising little ones will ever pay off? In this deeply personal episode, I share a breakthrough moment that brought tears to my eyes and validated years of persevering through the challenges of maintaining fitness as a mother. My six-year-old daughter recently joined me for a 5.7-kilometer run (her biking alongside me) after previous unsuccessful attempts. The transformation wasn't just in her physical abilities,...
Every active mother has heard the warnings: "Be careful with exercise while breastfeeding." But what does science actually tell us about nursing and injury risk? A groundbreaking new study from our research team has finally addressed this question—and the results might surprise you. Breastfeeding itself does not increase injury risk during postpartum exercise. This finding demolishes one of many persistent myths that have circulated for decades, from outdated concerns about lactic acid in br...
Are you fueling properly for your active lifestyle through pregnancy and postpartum? The answer might surprise you. In this eye-opening conversation with registered dietitian and sports nutritionist Mel Sulaver, we dive deep into the critical yet often misunderstood world of nutrition for athletic women navigating motherhood. Recent research has revealed a disturbing connection: women with histories of low energy availability face significantly higher risks of preterm labor and delivery. Thi...
Challenging long-held beliefs about diastasis recti, this episode dives deep into groundbreaking research that's transforming how we understand abdominal separation during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. As a pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher, I've watched the online conversation around diastasis recti create unnecessary fear and restriction for active mothers. The truth? Most of what you've heard about "coning," "safe exercises," and postpartum recovery timelines isn't suppo...
Dive into a thoughtful critique of "Floored," the bestselling pelvic floor health book by Dr. Sarah Reardon (The Vagina Whisperer). This episode unpacks both the groundbreaking achievements and potential shortcomings of this influential text that's reshaping how we talk about pelvic health. As a pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher, I offer a balanced assessment of how this book succeeds brilliantly in making pelvic floor conversations accessible and shame-free. The conversational ...
Have you ever wondered why certain pregnancy myths refuse to die despite lacking scientific evidence? The answer lies in how our digital ecosystem perpetuates misinformation through well-meaning but often unqualified influencers. The motherhood space on platforms like TikTok has become a breeding ground for myths around labor induction and postpartum recovery. When desperate moms-to-be try curb walking or special teas before spontaneously going into labor, they create powerful mental associa...
Groundbreaking research is reshaping what we know about pelvic health for active women. This episode dives into three significant developments that challenge conventional wisdom about incontinence, pregnancy exercise, and pelvic organ prolapse. The first revelation? Athletes who experience leaking during exercise actually have stronger pelvic floors, not weaker ones as previously thought. Recent studies from both strength athletes and endurance runners confirm this surprising finding. The re...
Fear nearly kept me from motherhood. Growing up watching my mother battle severe mental health challenges that began in her postpartum period with twins left me terrified that history might repeat itself. That deeply personal story opens our candid exploration of postpartum depression and anxiety—conditions that affect countless women who suffer in silence. What exactly distinguishes normal "baby blues" from actual mood disorders requiring intervention? When does typical new-parent worry cro...
The boundaries of female athleticism are expanding in thrilling ways, yet the research supporting women's unique physiological journeys lags significantly behind. From my recent experience at the Female Athlete Conference in Boston, I've returned brimming with insights about how we're finally beginning to address this disparity. What makes this biennial gathering extraordinary is the spirit of collaboration. Sports medicine physicians, obstetricians, researchers, physical therapists, nutriti...
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 th...
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 incontin...
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 inadeq...
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 ...
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 ...
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 import...
The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health
The internet turned pelvic floor training into a turf war—“always Kegels” on one side, “never Kegels” on the other. We cut through the noise with a clear, evidence-backed framework that shows how to build strength, practice relaxation, and keep moving with confidence through pregnancy. We start by grounding the conversation in what the research actually supports: pelvic floor muscle training can reduce postpartum urinary incontinence and help many pregnant athletes and recreational movers ma...
