Episode 75: Labor Prep 101: What You Need to Know About Pushing and Your Pelvic Floor
Are you truly prepared for the pushing stage of labor, or could your pelvic floor be holding you back?
In this special rebroadcast episode from the Aligned Birth Podcast, Dr. Amanda Shipley joins Dr. Shannon O'Brien to share essential insights into one of the most critical aspects of childbirth—pushing. This episode dives into the physical and mental preparation needed to push effectively and minimize complications during labor.
Today on Kumbay’all episode 75, Dr. Amanda and Dr. Shannon discuss:
Why the pelvic floor doesn’t work in isolation and how it interacts with other muscles like the diaphragm and hip rotators
The importance of seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist and when to seek support
Common misconceptions about pelvic floor health, including the truth about tight vs. loose muscles
Techniques for preparing your body and mind for effective pushing, including breathing exercises and muscle relaxation strategies
How to harness the power of visualization and muscle memory during the pushing stage of labor
Positioning tips to support optimal pushing and which position may not be ideal
We hope this episode provides helpful tips, insight, and encouragement to you!
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Renew Pelvic Health - Amanda’s pelvic physical therapy practice in Atlanta, GA
About Dr Shipley:
Amanda Shipley, PT, DPT, MTC has been a physical therapist for more than 20 years and is the founder of Renew Pelvic Health in Atlanta, GA. Since 2007 Amanda has focused on helping patients prevent and heal pelvic floor issues. Her mission is to empower people to take charge of their pelvic health and change the standard of care so that pelvic physical therapy is a part of a complete wellness strategy. Dr. Shipley is especially passionate about helping birthing people have as smooth a childbirth as possible while preventing future pelvic floor dysfunction. After having two unmedicated homebirths herself, she co-founded Progressive Pelvic Education with her identical twin sister (who is also a homebirth mom) and created her signature program - Progressive Pregnancy - where they help women prepare their mind, body, and pelvic floor for the childbirth they desire. Amanda is also the creator and host of the podcast Kumbay'all: The Whole Woman's Resource.
About Your Hosts:
We’re Amanda and Rebecca - twin sisters, naturally-minded homebirth mamas, and co-founders of Progressive Pelvic Education and creators of Progressive Pregnancy. We’re on a mission to help you have a more empowered entrance into motherhood.
Amanda Shipley, PT, DPT, MTC is the founder ofRenew Pelvic Health in Atlanta, GA, and has been a physical therapist for more than 20 years. For the last 17 years Amanda has focused on helping patients prevent and heal pelvic floor issues. Her mission is to change the standard of care so that pelvic physical therapy is a part of a complete wellness strategy, like going to the dentist. Amanda is passionate about preventing pelvic floor issues and supporting her patients through the life transitions that we know affect the pelvic floor so strongly - pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause/menopause, and before/after surgery.
