In this episode, we sit down with pediatric physical therapist and certified breastfeeding specialist Kristi Hammerle, PT, DPT, founder of Year One Wellness. They dive into everything parents (and PTs!) should know about torticollis, head shape, and infant development — from what causes those early asymmetries to why early intervention matters so much. Kristi breaks down the connection between tight neck muscles, feeding challenges, and movement milestones, sharing clear, compassionate advice for helping babies move and grow with comfort and symmetry.
🍼 What torticollis really is (and why it’s not just about the neck)
🧠 The link between in-utero positioning and early tension
😴 How sleep position and swaddling play into head shape
👶 Why early intervention beats “waiting it out” every time
💪 The magic combo of lengthening + strengthening (yes, even for babies!)
💆♀️ What to expect in an infant PT session
🤍 No shame in helmets — what they do and when they help
🔄 The one word Kristi says every parent should remember: symmetry
For every parent wondering if that “head tilt” is normal — this one’s for you. A grounded, hopeful conversation that’ll leave you feeling informed and empowered (and maybe ready to stretch your baby’s neck, gently and with PT guidance!)
Find us:
📧 Email us at podcast@ladybirdpt.com
🌐 Book a in person or virtual PT session at ladybirdpt.com
🪶 Join our newsletter, leave a review, or book a visit — and check out our prenatal movement series while you’re there!
In this personal update episode, Becky and Jessica talk about what it actually means to feel “back to normal” after having a baby — physically, mentally, and emotionally. They discuss their experiences with identity shifts, alone time (or lack thereof), tantrums, toddler chaos, and redefining what “normal” even means in motherhood.
In this episode:
🧠 redefining “normal” postpartum
💪 feeling strong again - physically and mentally
😵💫Toddler tantrums
❤️🔥 the loss (and rediscovery) of self
🌙 carving out alone time in motherhood
🏃♀️ returning to running, movement, and confidence
Find us!
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Join our email list or book a visit: ladybirdpt.com
💬 Leave us a review — it means the world!
💪 We have 2 more spots left in the last class of the Fall Prenatal Series - Pelvic Floor Relaxation & Birth Prep on Dec 5th! Register here: https://www.ladybirdpt.com/fall-movement/p/relax-and-prep-class
Hey y’all, and welcome back to The Lady Birds Podcast! This week, Becky and Jessica are back with part two of our support garment series! In part one, we covered belly bands — what they’re good for, when to use them, and how they differ from SI belts.
Now we’re diving into SI belts: what they are, who actually benefits from them, and how to tell the difference between a soft “hug” of support and a belt that gives real mechanical stability. From fitting tips to how long to wear them (and when not to), this episode is packed with grounded, evidence-based insights that make pelvic pain feel a little less mysterious and a lot more manageable.
✨ Here’s what we cover: 🩺 The difference between an SI belt and a belly band — and why structure matters 🤰 Diagnoses that benefit most (SI joint pain, low back pain, and some pelvic girdle pain) 🧣 How to test if a belt might help 📏 Fitting tips: where it should actually sit and how tight to wear it 💪 Why SI belts are tools, not fixes and how they can bridge you to strength work 🧠 Why relaxin isn’t the real cause of pelvic pain
Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just trying to make sense of pelvic pain, this one’s a quick but practical listen that’ll help you understand your body — and maybe laugh along the way.
Episodes we reference:Belly bands: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6UyEnYP6PyLXpgWvejEoHL?si=Wqkqz4pRQTitoA63y5Ts_wSIJ pain in pregnancy and postpartum: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JtzgLsEyhA1Qp0CwNuXUq?si=_-s6wFToSpivCgTjRIQevQ
Find us:📩 podcast@ladybirdpt.com 📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt 🌐 Book a visit or join our email list at ladybirdpt.com 📝 Leave us a review so more parents can find us 🗓 Check out our upcoming events prenatal fall series (https://www.ladybirdpt.com/events-in-austin-tx) and birth prep class with Oak + Lotus Yoga (https://www.oakandlotusyoga.com/laborprep)
Ever wonder why your SI joint suddenly starts screaming during pregnancy? In this episode, Becky and Jessica break down why sacroiliac joint pain happens, how to tell if it’s actually your SI joint, and what you can do to feel better both during and after pregnancy. From posture tweaks to smart strengthening and pelvic floor PT insights, if you only take one thing away from this podcast, let it be to uncross your legs if you have SI pain.
✨ Here’s what we cover:
🦴 What the SI joint actually is— and why it gets blamed for so much
🤰 Why “it’s just the relaxin” isn’t the full story for pain
💪 How strength work during pregnancy sets you up for smoother recovery
🚫 Movements and habits that secretly irritate your SI joint
🏋️♀️ Safe, pain-friendly strength exercises to start with (and ones to consider avoiding)
💆♀️ What manual therapy can (and can’t) do
Whether you’re dealing with SI pain for the first time or it’s followed you into postpartum, this one’s for you — simple, evidence-based, and judgment-free.
Find us:
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Book a visit or join our email list at ladybirdpt.com
🗓 Check out our upcoming events prenatal fall series (https://www.ladybirdpt.com/events-in-austin-tx) and birth prep class with Oak + Lotus Yoga (https://www.oakandlotusyoga.com/laborprep)
This week, we sat down with Maggie Brewer and Laura Burton, licensed speech-language pathologists and co-founders of Nest Infant and Caregiver Support, to tackle one of the messiest, most confusing parts of parenting: starting solids. From baby-led weaning to purees, choking vs. gagging, and why responsive feeding matters more than the method, this conversation is packed with real-life wisdom (and reassurance that you’re not doing it “wrong”).
In this episode you’ll find:
🥑 What developmental readiness for solids really looks like
🥄 Baby-led weaning vs. purees — pros, cons, and blending both
😳 Choking vs. gagging: how to tell the difference and respond
🥤 Sippy cups, straws, and open cups explained
🍼 Why responsive feeding is the thread through every approach
😅 Managing the anxiety (and the mess!) of mealtimes (although this could've been an episode on it's own!
Whether your baby’s first bite is avocado strips or mashed sweet potato, the “right” way is the one that feels safe and doable for your family.
Find us:
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Learn more at ladybirdpt.com
⭐ Leave us a review so more parents can find support
✨ Connect with Maggie & Laura from Nest Infant Support:
🌐 nestinfantsupport.com
📸 Instagram: @nestinfantsupport
👍 Facebook: Nest Infant Support, PLLC
And don’t miss their virtual Solids Class on October 22nd with Dr. Alex Florence of Happy Trails Pediatrics — combining feeding therapy expertise with pediatric insight.
Find it here: https://buy.stripe.com/cNi7sM5Tx0l40cv8klbZe04
In this catch-up episode, we’re talking all about life with our girls (who still babies in our minds, but really toddlers). From breastfeeding and pumping highs and lows, to picky eating battles, nap transitions, and the bittersweet feelings about leaving the baby stage behind — we would love to say we left nothing out, but true to ourselves we still have so much to catch up on! Don't miss our next personal update episode in a few weeks!
In this episode:
🍼 Breastfeeding vs. weaning
🥦 Toddler food wins (and fails)
😴 Nap transitions & sleep regressions
👶 Missing the itty-bitty baby stage
💪 Parenting through phases & finding perspective
Whether your toddler is eating blueberries for dinner or refusing to nap, we hope this episode makes you feel a little more seen in the chaos.
Connect with us: 📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com📸 Follow us on Instagram @ladybirdpt🌐 Learn more about our services at ladybirdpt.com⭐️ Leave us a review — it helps other parents find us!
Announcements!
We've been nominated for 2 categories for Best In Birth and we are THRILLED! Please vote for us for Best Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists and Best Podcast. You don't have to be local to vote, just scroll through to categories 19 and 21 and vote for Lady Bird! We appreciate your support so, so much!
Vote HERE
If you’re local to Austin, check out our events page to see if you can make our Fall Prenatal Series. This three-part series at Lady Bird PT is designed to help you feel strong, supported and ready for birth and recovery. Each session will give you practical tools you can use right away, whether you’re looking to prepare your body for labor, keep moving safely during pregnancy, or learn strategies to reduce tearing and push confidently.
Pregnancy belly bands get recommended everywhere — but are they really worth it? In this episode, Becky and Jessica dig into what the research says, who actually benefits, and how these compressive bands differ from other support garments. We cover belly bands in pregnancy (think back pain, belly heaviness, and everyday discomfort) as well as the real role they play after birth, especially after a C-section. It’s a short, no-BS conversation with the evidence, clinical insight, and lived experience you’ve come to expect from us.
✨ General belly discomfort vs. true pelvic girdle pain
🔎 What the research actually supports (and what it doesn’t)
🙅🏽♀️ Diastasis prevention myths we can officially let go of
👶🏽 The one postpartum scenario where bands are clearly helpful
⚖️ Can a compression garment actually be too tight? (Spoiler - yes!)
🩺 Why a belly band is a “bandaid” — not a long-term fix (and why that’s not always a bad thing)
At the end of the day? Try it. If it feels good, amazing. If not, there are plenty of other options.
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt
💻 Services & booking: ladybirdpt.com
⭐ Leave us a review so more parents can find this info
We’re back with Dr. Amanda Horton for part two of our high risk pregnancy management deep dive — this time focusing on gestational diabetes. From how it develops (spoiler: the placenta) to diet, exercise, insulin, and what it means for labor and delivery, Dr. Horton walks us through practical management and long-term considerations.
✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
🍬 Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes explained simply
🥦 Nutrition counseling and carb counting basics
🏃 Why movement after meals is a powerful tool
💊 Insulin, metformin, and when medication makes sense
👶 How gestational diabetes impacts delivery planning
🔄 The lifelong health implications after pregnancy
Call to Action:📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt and @amandahortonmd🌐 Services: ladybirdpt.com⭐ Leave us a review — it helps other parents find this resource!
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Horton, a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, to dig into what MFMs actually do and why their expertise matters in complex pregnancies. We focus on hypertension in pregnancy, from preexisting high blood pressure to gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Dr. Horton shares clinical insights, patient stories, and practical takeaways for providers and parents alike.
✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:✨
👩⚕️ What maternal-fetal medicine is
💉 The most common conditions MFMs manage
🩺 Why blood pressure control in pregnancy matters for lifelong health
⚡ How hypertension impacts both parent and baby
🧠 The challenge of educating without fear-mongering
❤️ Patient-centered ways to support health literacy and compliance
Hypertension may sound scary, but with the right care and education, pregnancy can be managed safely — and knowledge really is power.
Find us!
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Instagram: @ladybirdpt and @amandahortonmd
🌐 See us in person or virtually: ladybirdpt.com
⭐ Leave us a review — it helps other parents find this resource!
Today, we're sharing Jessica’s birth story — a positive, hospital induction that brought baby Colleen into the world to the soundtrack of Taylor Swift. From burnt eggs, to pitocin contractions, nitrous regrets, and that sweet epidural bliss, this one’s real, funny, and full of heart.
In this Episode: 🗞️ Big feelings about SCOTUS and queer rights 💧 Foley bulb, Pitocin, and all the juicy labor details 🚿 Shower coping + Greta’s adductor power 🙃 Nitrous oxide (spoiler: she hated it) 💉 Top 5 naps - thank you epidural! 👶 What Jess talks about with every patient - pushing and tearing! 🍼 Early breastfeeding + Tamagotchi parenting 🎶 Colleen’s birth to “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift
Resources and Episodes Mentioned: 🎧 Episode 21: Induction of Labor, an Interview with Dr. Romy Ghosh🎧 Episode 27: Becky’s Birth Story🎧 Episode 29: An interview with Sunayna Weber, IBCLC for information about breastfeeding, feeding your baby and more !🌈 Connecting Rainbows — Legal resources for LGBTQ+ families @connectingrainbowsorg on Instagram
Have a question? 📧 Reach out at podcast@ladybirdpt.com 📸 Follow us on Instagram @ladybirdpt 🌐 Book a session or join our email list at ladybirdpt.com ⭐ Leave us a review - it helps people find us!
In this episode, we’re joined by our own lactation consultant, Sunayna Weber, IBCLC and founder of It’s More Than Milk. Sunayna brings an empathetic and practical perspective on preparing for, navigating, and sometimes struggling through your baby-feeding journey. We talk about what to do during pregnancy to set yourself up for feeding success, how to tell when something’s off, and finish the conversation talking about common myths and problems that she hears on a day to day basis. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, combo-feeding, or figuring it out in real time—this episode is full of validation, real answers, and zero judgment.
In this episode:
🍼 What to do during pregnancy to prep for feeding
🤱 Why "breastfeeding is natural" is misleading
⚠️ Red flags to look out for in the early days
🌙 Hormonal shifts at 6 and 12 weeks
🍪 The truth about lactation cookies
💗 How she handles hard discussions on sensitive situations (like deciding to no longer breastfeed)
🔥 If you're feeding your baby, you’re a badass bitch
Feeding your baby can be hard, emotional, empowering, messy—and you don’t have to do it alone.
To find Sunayna and her amazing team:
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @itsmorethanmilk
🌐 Book a visit: www.itsmorethanmilk.com
Links Mentioned today regarding medication and breastmilk
E-lactancia - for resources in Spanish
To talk to your Lady Bird’s:
📩 Email us: podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Book a visit or join our email list: ladybirdpt.com
💬 Leave a review — it helps others find the show!
Let’s talk about everybody’s favorite taboo topic: poop. In this clinical episode, we break down what normal bowel function actually looks like, why constipation is so common in pregnancy and postpartum, and what you can do about it. We share practical tips for that dreaded first postpartum poop, how your pelvic floor plays a role in all of it, and what to do if you’re struggling with gas leakage weeks after delivery. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just curious — this episode is full of surprisingly helpful bowel talk.
In this episode:
💩 What counts as normal poop (yes, there's a chart)
🍌 Why pregnancy slows things down
🤰 Pelvic floor tension + pooping = a bad combo
🧻 Tips to prep for your first postpartum bowel movement
🥤 Hydration, magnesium, and the power of a squatty potty
👃 Gas leakage (why it happens + what to do)
🫧 Why chewing gum might help post-cesarean recovery
Some episodes are just full of sh*t — and this is one of them (in the best way).
Stay connected with us!
📧 podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Follow us on instagram: @ladybirdpt
💻 Book in-person or virtual visits
💬 Leave us a review to help others find us
In this episode, Becky shares the full story of her daughter’s birth — from a stretch of decreased fetal movement leading to an earlier than planned induction, to navigating a rare clotting disorder and deciding whether to get the epidural she wasn’t sure she could have. We get into what labor actually felt like, how clinical anxiety shows up in real time, and the small but unforgettable details — like a postpartum nurse who wouldn’t step aside and a placenta the size of a snack plate. It’s honest, nuanced, and exactly the kind of story we wish we heard more often.
In this episode:
🧠 Medical anxiety meets real birth decisions
🧳 Guess who didn’t bring a hospital bag
💉 When the epidural brings more questions than relief
📟 Cytocec, contractions, and cervical checks
🪞Pushing with mirrors, tug-of-war, and perineal massage
🧻 A memorable first pee - and not for why you would think
🍼 The beautiful blur of those first moments
Whether you’re prepping for birth or processing your own story, this one’s for you — and we hope it helps you feel a little less alone.
Talk to us!
📧 Email with questions: podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Book in-person, virtual, or home visits: ladybirdpt.com
📝 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Nichelle Haynes, a reproductive psychiatrist and co-owner of Reproductive Psychiatry and Counseling based in Austin, Texas. She walks us through the nuances of mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum, from medication safety and identity shifts to postpartum anxiety and baby blues. If you’re navigating mental health during pregnancy or postpartum, this one’s for you—and anyone supporting someone through it.
In this episode:
🧠 Identity loss and matrescence
😰 Postpartum anxiety vs. baby blues
🍼 Medication during pregnancy & breastfeeding
💬 Are intrusive thoughts normal?
🧪 Missteps in the recent FDA panel on SSRIs
💡 Nuance over fear-mongering in psychiatry
📈 Monitoring meds throughout pregnancy
🤱 The difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health journey through motherhood—you’re not. And you deserve care that’s just as thoughtful and personalized as the love you give every day.
📧 Reach out: podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🎙️ Book a pelvic floor PT visit with us: www.ladybirdpt.com
💬 Leave a review & help more parents find this support
🎙️Listen to Dr. Nichelle Hayne’s podcast More Than Mom With Dr. Nichelle Haynes Designed to help people find themselves in motherhood!
📧If you’re local to Austin, visit their website to schedule an in person visit or if you’re in Texas, reach out to schedule a virtual appointment
📲Follow her on Instagram: @dr.nichellehaynes
This episode dives into one of our favorite birth topics: VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). Jessica and Becky open with a heartfelt check-in about the recent Hill Country floods before shifting into all things VBAC. They walk through the history, break down the real (and rare) risks like uterine rupture, and talk candidly about what pelvic floor PTs actually do to help. From hip mobility to scar tissue myths to provider dynamics—this one’s all about helping you feel informed, supported, and ready to advocate for the birth you want.
In this episode:
📚 A mini history lesson on VBACs and changing medical norms
🧠 Repeatable and non repeatable factors for a VBAC and what that means
⚠️ Uterine rupture: real risk, rare event
🧘♀️ The PT angle: hip mobility, fetal positioning, and what we don’t do (Which might surprise you!)
🧍 Why asymmetry in your body matters and how we assess it
🧑⚕️ The make-or-break role of your provider and the magic of doulas
Whether you’re team VBAC or scheduled cesarean, you deserve informed, individualized care—and we’re here for it.
🎧 Want to go deeper into birth prep? We’ve got two episodes just for you! One dives into perineal massage and how it can help reduce tearing, while the other covers push prep—how to coordinate your breath, core, and pelvic floor for an efficient second stage. These episodes are packed with practical tips for anyone preparing for a vaginal birth (VBAC or otherwise). You’ll find them both linked below!
Episode 6: Birth Preparation: Perineal Tear Risk ReductionEpisode 8: Birth Preparation - Push Prep 101
📧 Have questions or want to work with us? Email us at podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Explore our services and events: ladybirdpt.com
⭐ Leave us a review—seriously, it helps other parents find us!
In this follow-up to Becky’s pregnancy story, we flip the mic and hear all about Jessica’s experience being pregnant at the same time as Becky. From instant joy to pubic symphysis pain, insomnia, compression socks, and body image shifts, we talk about it all, capturing the contradictions, the surprises, and the stuff no one tells you. We reflect on what it was like to go through pregnancy side-by-side, how our experiences were wildly different (despite similar lifestyles), and why there’s no such thing as doing pregnancy “right.” This episode is for anyone who’s navigated the physical and emotional roller coaster of pregnancy—and for those who know the rage of being 41 weeks and still pregnant.
In this episode you’ll find:
🤰 Pregnant together: the highs, the weirds, the wildly different
💉 Who saw the positive pregnancy test first? Spoiler, it wasn’t Jessica
😴 First-trimester insomnia and pubic symphysis pain
🥤 Diet Coke, nausea, and modifying exercises
🧦 Compression sock obsession vs. compression sock regret
🧠 Mental load: fear of induction and body image in pregnancy
📸 Maternity photos in Mexico (and not sucking it in!)
😡 The emotional chaos of weeks 40–42
Pregnancy is never one-size-fits-all, even when you’re doing it side by side.
💌 Got questions or episode ideas?
Email us at podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram @ladybirdpt
🌐 Learn more about our services at ladybirdpt.com
⭐ Love the podcast? Leave us a review—it helps other parents find us!
Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, is a condition we treat frequently, but it’s often overlooked or misdiagnosed. In this episode, Jessica and Becky take a closer look at what true tailbone pain is (and isn’t), how it presents in pregnancy and postpartum populations, and why pelvic floor physical therapists are uniquely positioned to help. They discuss common contributing factors, treatment strategies, including internal exams and dry needling, as well as practical advice for managing symptoms at home. Whether you’re newly experiencing tailbone pain or have been dealing with it for years, this episode offers clarity and direction for real relief.
In this episode:
💥 What exactly is the tailbone and how do you know it’s what’s hurting?
🍑 The pelvic floor–tailbone connection explained
🧠Do you need to work on strengthening or relaxing?
🪑 Cushions: helpful relief or just a Band-Aid?
🛠️ Manual therapy, dry needling, and how PTs actually treat tailbone pain
🧘♀️ At-home relief options like foam rolling and glute stretches
Tailbone pain can be a literal pain in the ass, but it doesn’t have to be forever!
📧 Email us: theladybirdspodcast@gmail.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Learn more about our pelvic floor services: www.ladybirdpt.com
⭐️ Rate and review the podcast if you love the show
In this episode, Becky opens up about her pregnancy journey — one that was medically complex, emotionally draining, and often left out of the typical pregnancy narrative. From gestational diabetes and chronic itching to fetal heart defects and ovarian cysts, this is the story of Becky's pregnancy. Jess and Becky initially meant to talk about both her pregnancy AND her birth but ended up not having time! Stay tuned for Becky's birth story.
In this episode: 🦟 Dealing with full-body eczema at just 7 weeks pregnant 🤢 Navigating persistent nausea that lasted the entire pregnancy 💊 Managing preexisting hypertension during pregnancy 🫀 Discovering a ventricular septal defect in the baby’s heart at 20 weeks 🍭 The emotional weight of a gestational diabetes diagnosis 🩻 Handling the unexpected: an ovarian cyst that kept growing 🧠 The mental load of constant monitoring, MFM visits, and late-night triage
Want to know more?
📧 Email us: theladybirdspodcast@gmail.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
🌐 Learn about our pelvic floor services: www.ladybirdpt.com
⭐️ Rate and review if you love the show!
In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most debated and often feared topics in the birth world: inductions. We’re joined by our own OBGYN and friend, Dr. Romy Ghosh, to talk through the myths, facts, nuances, and personal experiences behind needing (or choosing) an induction. From medical to elective reasons, relative risk to actual outcomes, we unpack it all! Whether you’re prepping for birth, supporting someone who is, or just curious about what real, evidence-informed care looks like, this one’s for you.
*Trigger warning - Stillbirth mentioned*
In this episode you’ll find:
🧠 What an induction of labor really is
💊 The most common medical and elective reasons for induction
🤰 Why shame around elective inductions doesn’t belong in the birth space
📊 Relative risk vs. absolute risk, and how they actually shape care
🗣️ How to ask your provider the right questions to feel confident in your decision
⚖️ Cascade of interventions: fear vs. actual outcomes
🛠️ A breakdown of methods: cervical ripening, balloons, Pitocin & more
Birth is full of surprises — but the decision to induce doesn’t have to be one of them. Let’s replace fear with knowledge and shame with support.
💌 Questions or thoughts? Email us at podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ladybirdpt
💻 Learn more about our services at www.ladybirdpt.com
⭐ If you liked this episode, leave us a review and share it with a friend!
In this episode, Becky and Jessica tackle one of the most requested (and under-discussed) topics in postpartum care: painful sex. Whether you're weeks, months, or even years postpartum, pain during intimacy is common — but not something you have to just live with. They break down the most common causes, what it actually feels like, and what you can do about it.
🧠 Your brain matters as much as your body Fear, stress, and feeling "touched out" all impact sex. You're not broken — you're exhausted, and that’s valid. Sometimes, sex hurts because it’s the last thing you want. Lack of sleep, stress, and feeling disconnected can all tank libido.
🩹 Scar tissue should be assessed Pain from perineal or C-section scars is real — and often pinpointed, burning, or tight. PT can help reduce that stiffness and sensitivity.
💧 Estrogen takes a dive postpartum Whether you’re making milk or not, low estrogen means dry, irritated tissue. This can feel like sandpaper or tearing — and even tons of lube may not fix it (but still use it anyways!)
🧴 Topical estrogen is effective — and safeTopical, low-dose vaginal estrogen is considered safe in lactation and we are BIG FANS!
🧘 Muscle guarding is very, very common Tension in the pelvic floor (and hips, glutes, adductors) can lead to that “hitting a wall” feeling. Your body may be protecting itself — for good reason.
🛑 C-section parents: this could still apply to you Cesarean births doesn’t always exempt you from pelvic floor issues. Scar tension and deep pain are real and treatable!
🔁 It’s not linear — and it’s not forever Pain should improve over time. If it’s not, a pelvic floor PT can help untangle the why.
📧 Email us: podcast@ladybirdpt.com
📱 Follow us: @ladybirdpt on Instagram and Facebook
🏡 Work with us: In-office, virtual, and home visits available
⭐ Like what you hear? Leave us a review and share with a friend.