What Your Momma Never Told You About Childbirth | Marianne Ryan | TEDxWilmingtonSalon

Summary

The script discusses the joys and challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting common yet often overlooked postpartum issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and incontinence. It emphasizes the misconception that women's bodies will automatically return to their pre-pregnancy state after giving birth. The speaker, a women's health physical therapist, urges new mothers to seek professional help, such as physical therapy, to prevent injuries and address these problems. She shares personal experiences and insights, advocating for the importance of postpartum care and the creation of an exercise program to aid in recovery. The message stresses the need for awareness and proper support for new moms to ensure their long-term physical health.

Takeaways

• 🤰 Pregnancy and childbirth are often seen as amazing experiences, but they can also lead to physical problems that may become permanent.
• 👩‍👧 A special bond forms during pregnancy, and mothers often share advice and experiences, but sometimes they may not discuss the potential postpartum issues.
• 🤷‍♀️ Many women assume their bodies will naturally return to pre-pregnancy state after childbirth, which is not always the case.
• 💪 Postpartum bodies are less efficient and muscles are weaker, especially those supporting the pelvis and belly, which can lead to instability and injuries.
• 👩‍⚕️ A thorough physical therapy evaluation six weeks postpartum is recommended to understand the body's current state and safely reintroduce activities.
• 🚫 Despite common misconceptions, it's not normal to live with back pain, pelvic pain, or incontinence after childbirth; these issues should be addressed.
• 🤱 New mothers often prioritize their babies over their own health, which can lead to doing too much too soon and risking injury.
• 📊 Research indicates that a significant number of women continue to experience back pain and incontinence even a year after childbirth.
• 🛑 Ignoring physical discomforts postpartum can lead to chronic issues, including pelvic organ prolapse, which may require surgery.
• 📚 The speaker's personal journey led to the creation of an exercise program to help women recover from postpartum issues, highlighting the importance of seeking solutions.
• 🌟 The focus should be on providing new moms with the right information and options to control their health and make informed decisions about postpartum recovery.

Q & A

What is the narrator's initial feeling about pregnancy?

The narrator expresses excitement about the prospect of pregnancy, looking forward to holding her child in her arms.

What physical problems can arise from pregnancy and childbirth according to the script?

Physical problems mentioned include back pain, pelvic pain, a leaky bladder, and a flabby tummy.

What advice did the narrator's mother give her to handle morning sickness?

The narrator's mother suggested putting a plate of Saltines on her nightstand and eating them each time she got out of bed.

What was the purpose of the pregnancy girdle the narrator's mother bought for her?

The pregnancy girdle was meant to provide support and potentially prevent back pain, but the narrator never used it.

Why did the narrator's mother share her own pregnancy experiences?

The mother shared her experiences to ensure the narrator had a healthy pregnancy and was prepared to take care of her newborn.

Why did the narrator feel her mother did not warn her about post-childbirth issues?

The narrator speculates that her mother might have thought she would be one of the lucky ones without problems, or that there was nothing she could do about it, so she chose not to worry her.

What misconception does the narrator mention about women's bodies after childbirth?

The misconception is that women's bodies will magically snap back together after childbirth, which is not true or realistic.

What is the danger of resuming normal activities too soon after childbirth, according to the script?

The danger is that new mothers may injure themselves by putting too much strain on their bodies, which are still recovering and have weaker muscles.

What is the narrator's profession and how does it relate to the script's content?

The narrator is a women's health physical therapist, which gives her professional insight into the physical challenges women face during and after pregnancy.

What is the medical term for a condition where abdominal muscles spread after pregnancy?

The medical term is diastasis recti.

What advice does the narrator give to new mothers regarding their postpartum health?

The narrator advises new mothers not to do too much too soon, to seek physical therapy for a thorough evaluation six weeks postpartum, and to understand that common physical problems after childbirth are not normal and can be helped.

Why did the narrator create an exercise program for postpartum recovery?

The narrator created the program after her own struggles with chronic back pain and a leaky bladder for over two decades, and finding that existing treatments were not effective for her.

What does the narrator suggest is the current state of postpartum care in the United States?

The narrator suggests that most mothers in the United States are sent home without proper information and support about postpartum rehabilitation.

What is the narrator's goal for spreading awareness about postpartum physical therapy?

The narrator's goal is to make physical therapy a new norm after childbirth to prevent future chronic problems and to help women recover fully.

Outlines

00:00

🤰 The Joy and Challenges of Pregnancy

The script begins by expressing the excitement of pregnancy and the anticipation of childbirth, recounting personal experiences and the bond between a mother and her unborn child. It also touches on the physical challenges that can arise, such as back and pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and a weakened abdominal wall. The narrator reflects on her mother's advice during pregnancy but questions why she wasn't warned about the potential long-term effects on her body post-childbirth. The paragraph concludes with insights from a women's health physical therapist, emphasizing the common misconception that the body will quickly return to its pre-pregnancy state, which is often not the case.

05:02

🚸 Postpartum Recovery: Beyond the Norm

This paragraph delves into the reality of postpartum recovery, highlighting that muscles supporting the pelvis and abdomen are weakened and stretched, leading to instability and potential injuries. It stresses the importance of not rushing back into pre-pregnancy activities and the risk of overlooking one's health in favor of caring for the newborn. The narrator, as a physical therapist, advises seeking a professional evaluation six weeks postpartum to safely reintroduce activities. The paragraph also addresses common but not 'normal' postpartum issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and incontinence, urging new mothers to seek help for these conditions, which can persist beyond the first year after childbirth.

10:03

🏥 The Importance of Postpartum Physical Therapy

The final paragraph shares a personal account of a patient named Megan, who developed pelvic organ prolapse after resuming her normal activities too soon postpartum. It underscores the significance of physical therapy in preventing and treating postpartum issues. The narrator's own struggle with chronic back pain and incontinence for over two decades is shared, leading to the creation of an exercise program that helped her heal. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for new mothers to be aware of the benefits of physical therapy and to not accept postpartum physical problems as the norm. It emphasizes the need for proper information and support for postpartum rehabilitation to prevent chronic issues and improve women's health.

Keywords

💡Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the state of carrying one or more offsprings to maturity inside the female's body. In the video's theme, pregnancy is portrayed as an exciting yet challenging journey with physical changes and challenges. The script mentions the excitement of finding out about pregnancy and the advice given by the speaker's mother, indicating the importance of support and preparation during this period.

💡Childbirth

Childbirth refers to the process of delivering a baby or giving birth. It is a central theme in the video as it discusses the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth. The script highlights that while childbirth is a joyous event, it can also lead to physical problems that may become permanent, such as back pain and pelvic pain.

💡Physical Problems

Physical problems are issues related to the body's physical health and functioning. The video emphasizes that pregnancy and childbirth can lead to physical problems such as back pain, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence. These issues are often overlooked, but the speaker advocates for awareness and proper rehabilitation to address them.

💡Postpartum

Postpartum refers to the period after childbirth. The video discusses the importance of postpartum care and the misconception that a woman's body will automatically return to its pre-pregnancy state. The script points out that the muscles supporting the pelvis and belly are weakened after childbirth, which can lead to instability and injuries.

💡Incontinence

Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. The video script mentions urinary incontinence as a common but not normal issue that can persist after childbirth. The speaker stresses that incontinence is a sign of a problem with the support system of the bladder and that it should be addressed with medical help.

💡Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition where the pelvic organs, such as the bladder and rectum, move downwards. The script uses the example of a patient named Megan who developed this condition after resuming her normal activities too soon postpartum, leading to incontinence, chronic pain, and the need for surgery.

💡Diastasis Recti

Diastasis recti is a condition where the abdominal muscles separate and create a gap in the middle, which can make a woman's abdomen look swollen even after giving birth. The video script explains that this condition can lead to chronic pain and incontinence and is a physical problem that can develop after childbirth.

💡Physical Therapist

A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people recover and improve their physical abilities through exercise and therapy. In the video, the speaker, who is a women's health physical therapist, emphasizes the importance of seeking physical therapy for postpartum recovery to prevent injuries and address physical problems.

💡Postpartum Recovery

Postpartum recovery refers to the process of a woman's body returning to its pre-pregnancy state after giving birth. The video stresses the importance of understanding that recovery takes time and that women should not rush back into their pre-pregnancy activities. The script suggests that a thorough evaluation by a physical therapist can help with safe and gradual recovery.

💡Preventive Measures

Preventive measures are steps taken to prevent the occurrence of a problem or condition. The video script encourages women to take preventive measures such as seeking physical therapy and not rushing back into normal activities postpartum. The speaker's own experience and the story of Megan illustrate the importance of these measures to avoid long-term physical problems.

Highlights

Pregnancy and childbirth can bring both excitement and physical challenges that may become permanent.

A mother's bond with her child begins during pregnancy, with advice and support often passed down from one generation to the next.

Despite advice, the speaker's mother did not warn her about potential postpartum issues.

Women often assume their bodies will return to normal after childbirth, which is not always the case.

Postpartum, muscles that support the pelvis and belly are weaker and stretched out, leading to instability and potential injuries.

A six-week postpartum checkup indicating 'normal' does not mean the body has fully recovered.

New mothers tend to focus on their babies and neglect their own health, which can lead to injury.

A physical therapist evaluation six weeks postpartum can help identify body status and safely reintroduce activities.

Physical problems like back pain and incontinence are common after childbirth but are not considered 'normal' to live with.

Ignoring physical symptoms can lead to chronic issues that may persist for years.

Research shows that postpartum problems can persist for over a year, affecting a significant percentage of women.

Diastasis recti, where abdominal muscles spread, can lead to chronic pain and incontinence.

Physical therapy can help prevent injury and address postpartum issues, but many new moms are unaware of this option.

The speaker's personal experience with chronic back pain and incontinence for over two decades highlights the need for awareness.

French women rebuild pelvic floor and abdominal strength postpartum through physical therapy, a practice not common in the U.S.

The speaker created an exercise program after extensive research and clinical trials to address her own postpartum issues.

Lack of information and support for postpartum rehab in the U.S. is a significant issue.

Physical therapy should be considered the new norm postpartum to prevent future chronic problems.

Advice for new moms includes not doing too much too soon, seeking help for physical problems, and considering physical therapy.

Transcripts

pregnancy and childbirth can be an

amazing

experience I remember how excited I was

when I first found out I was pregnant

and I couldn't wait till the day I was

going to hold my child in my

arms

but along with the excitement

can come some physical

problems that can become

permanent like back pain pelvic pain a

leaky bladder and a flabby

tummy from the moment we become

pregnant a special bond forms between a

mother and a daughter I remember all the

great advice my mom gave me and I still

hear her New York accent

and one day when I was complaining about

morning sickness she said don't worry

Maryann I know how to handle

it okay just put a plate of Saltines on

your nights side table and every time

you get out of bed eat

it okay didn't work but okay she also

suggested I use supportive

shoes and then she bought me a pregnancy

girdle and this thing was huge and made

out of rubber and I was supposed to stop

back pain or prevent it and I never used

it but she did give me lots of good

advice because she wanted to make sure I

had a healthy

pregnancy and she wanted to also make

sure I was fully prepared to take care

of her

grandchild so that's why she shared so

much information about what it was like

to be be pregnant herself and gave me

great tips on how to to prevent um or

how to take care of my newborn

baby but what I

wonder with all of

the tips and advice my mother gave me

about

pregnancy why didn't she warn me about

what might happen after I

deliver I mean she had plenty of

opportunities why didn't she tell me

during one of our millionth of trips go

while we went shopping for nursery

furniture and the baby's clothing or one

of the many times we sat in a restaurant

and instead she would reminisce about

her pregnancies and what it was like to

carry me and tell me the same story for

the hundredth

time I

wondered did my mom ever think

about the physical punch my body would

take after

childbirth I know she meant well I know

know you know maybe she just thought I

was one of the lucky

ones who wouldn't experience a

problem

or maybe she thought there isn't

anything she can do about it now so why

worry her thanks

Ma so as a woman's health physical

therapist what I've noticed is um and

discovered is that women assume that

their bodies are just going to magically

just snap back together right after

child birth and if you've been through

child birth you know this isn't

true um or realistic and what you might

not understand is

that after child birth your body is less

efficient and left and the muscles are

weaker the muscles that used to support

your pelvis and belly are now all

stretched out and a lot weaker than they

were before you were pregnant

and this can leave your body um and make

it more unstable and can lead to

developing

injuries and it takes time A lot more

time than you think to regain the

strength of these

muscles

so women

beware when you go for your six week

postpartum checkup to your doctor or

health care provider and they say

everything looks normal you can go back

back to all your normal activities it

doesn't mean your body fully

recovered the danger is moms usually

tend to focus on taking care of their

babies and ignore their own personal

needs they go back to business as usual

they start doing their pre-pregnancy

activities and with the also add the

added um responsibility taking care of a

newborn

baby

and this is just too much too soon by

doing so women are at risk of injuring

themselves now the best way to prevent

injury is by going to a physical

therapist for a thorough evaluation when

you're six weeks postpartum that's six

weeks after giving

birth that way you can find out where

your body is and how to

gradually

um add and safely add um activities to

your schedule until you get to your

normal

activities but here's the thing that

really drives physical therapist

crazy new mothers often think and are

often told it's normal to have back

pain it's normal to have pelvic

pain and so what if you leak a little

urine it's normal after child birth it

might be common but it's not

normal and it's not normal to live with

these

problems gals you got to listen to me if

you leak

urine it means the support system that's

holding up your bladder has a fault in

it and you need to seek help and go get

it

fixed and if you have pain guess what it

means something's wrong

please try to take the time out to

figure out what's causing it and get

some help to get rid of it if your

body's screamy at you please don't

ignore

it so that's not the whole story re

research has shown that these problems

can

linger one year after childbirth 77% of

women reported having back

pain 49% % of women reported having

incontinence so that means one year

after childbirth 3/4 of the women said

that they had back pain and half of them

had

incontinence 18 months after child birth

24% of women complained of having

painful sex now do you think a guy would

put up with

that a third of the women also

complained to flabby tummies now the

medical term for that is called

diastasis reti and that's where the uh

six-pack abdominal muscles spread and

this can make a woman look pregnant when

she's

not but that's not the problem the

problem is that that condition can also

lead to chronic pain and

incontinence

and

Believe It or Not these problems um

these conditions can show up as problems

years later so even if you've made it

through childbirth without any

problems it doesn't mean you're in the

all

clear that's why I tell women once

postpartum you're always

postpartum moms are often shocked when I

tell U explain to them that the

incontinence or the pain that they're

experiencing today could be directly

related to their child birthing

experience that they had 10 15 20 years

ago my best advice to new moms is don't

do too much too soon I'd like to tell

you a story about a patient of mine and

we're going to call her

Megan she had a great pregnancy without

any complications and a terrific

delivery experience by the time she was

going for her six week postpartum

checkup she felt good she was told

everything looked good you can go back

to your normal activities you have the

green light so Megan being Megan she was

very excited she went back to the gym

and resumed her her

um her gym program and then also all of

her other household

tasks and everything was going well

until suddenly without warning she felt

something really really

strange she said I suddenly wet my

pants and I felt as if I had a golf ball

in my

underwear she looked at a miror and was

absolutely horrified she saw something

poking out of her

vagina she called her doctor made an

immediate appointment because she knew

something was terribly wrong and was

diagnosed with pelvic organ

prolapse and that a condition where the

pelvic organs like the bladder and the

rectum can move

downwards and this can become a serious

problem and lead to

incontinence chronic pain and a lot of

times

surgeries so even though Megan had no

problems right after childbirth she

developed them because she put too much

strain on her body by doing too much too

soon

so anyway so after three months of

physical therapy she had a great

recovery and this was uh lucky for Megan

and it was good that she did this

because she was wise and sought out

Physical Therapy treatment but this

isn't the norm do you know that most new

moms don't consider going for physical

therapy treatment if they're in pain or

even if they have to live with the

embarrassment of incontinence

and you might be saying to yourself why

why aren't they going and the answer is

really simple they don't know it's an

option and I know I've been

there um after my I'm going to share

something that's a little personal um

after my first

pregnancy I suffered with uh chronic

back pain and a leaky bladder for over

two decades and I didn't know there was

anything that I could do about

it until about 10 years ago I read an

article about how French women all go

for physical therapy treatment after

each baby for 2 to three months to

rebuild the strength in their pelvic

floor and

abdominals and the French have been

doing this for

decades I didn't know that there was

treatment for this so I became

determined to fix my problem and for a

couple of years I tried several

different programs including Physical

Therapy biof feedback acupuncture

meditation various exercise programs I

did keegle exercises until I was purple

in the face and nothing

helped so I decided I had to find a

solution and um I did tons of

research and countless clinical

trials and as a result of what I learned

I created an exercise program that works

and that was it I solved my problems I

am fully healed and now I can

offer um to help others do the

same my program comes in the form of a

book and can be used in conjunction with

physical therapy or a woman can do it on

her

own it's unfortunate but in the United

States most uh mothers go home or sent

home without proper information and

support about postpartum rehab or

Rehabilitation the focus of Medical Care

goes from the baby to the mother from

the mother to the baby and um I remember

when I was leaving the hospital my

doctor gave me a pat on the back for a

job well done and a piece of paper with

a ke with Keele exercises on it that was

it and this is really sad because

studies now show that these problems are

are

preventable they can be reversed or at

least made better better by the proper

Medical Care by a women's health

physical

therapist it's essential that we focus

on the on the physical health of new

moms to prevent future chronic

problems that's why I believe in

providing women with the right

information and opinion and options so

that they

can make the decision to control their

own health and

life physical therapy is not common or

not is uncommon for child birth after

child birth but I'd like to make it the

new

norm and I and we can make it the new

Norm if you help spread this message

with your sisters friends and colleagues

you might want to give them three pieces

of advice new moms please don't do too

much too

soon it might be common to have physical

problems after child

birth but it's but it's not normal to

live with

them and physical therapy can help a

woman fully recover from childbirth and

you deserve

[Applause]

it