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 tone and clear explanations of complex anatomy deserve significant praise, especially in the excellent chapters on sexual function and pain management.

However, I challenge several recommendations around posture and exercise that don't align with current evidence. Claims suggesting crossing your legs or specific sleeping positions cause dysfunction aren't supported by research. Similarly, the advice to "always Kegel during resistance training" and "always exhale during exertion" oversimplifies the complex, integrated nature of how our bodies naturally function during movement.

Most concerning are statements suggesting women can cause "permanent pelvic floor dysfunction" by returning to exercise "too soon" after birth - language that inadvertently blames mothers for symptoms largely determined by genetics and birth trauma. These symptoms are expected parts of recovery, not indicators of failure.

Whether you've read the book or are curious about pelvic health, this episode offers valuable context for understanding how we can empower rather than frighten women with health information. Let's celebrate progress while continuing to evolve our understanding based on the best available evidence.

What pelvic health books or resources have you found most helpful? Share your thoughts and join the conversation about evidence-based approaches to women's health.

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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 associations between these activities and their outcomes. This saliency effect—attributing results to the most recent notable action—creates the illusion that these methods work, when in reality, baby was simply ready to arrive.

Even more concerning is the postpartum recovery space, where influencers showcase remarkable physical transformations while marketing simple programs as the secret to their success. What's conveniently omitted is the foundation that made their recovery possible: years of prior training, home gyms, supportive partners who prioritize fitness, favorable genetics, and fewer responsibilities (particularly with first babies). These privileged circumstances create the perfect environment for rapid recovery that most women simply don't have access to.

The fundamental problem is the conflation of personal experience with expertise. As fitness professional Claire from Barbell Medicine perfectly states, "Your experience does not equal your expertise." Without proper education and diverse client experience, these influencers create underdosed, one-size-fits-all programs that fail to deliver promised results for most followers. The consequence? Women blame themselves when they can't achieve influencer-like outcomes, despite diligently following recommendations.

This isn't about vilifying well-intentioned creators but encouraging transparency about scope of practice, program limitations, and the many factors beyond exercise that contribute to outcomes. We deserve nuanced conversations about pregnancy and postpartum fitness that acknowledge the complex interplay of genetics, training history, and life circumstances—something impossible to deliver in 15-second sound bites designed to sell programs.

Have you encountered fitness myths that seemed too good to be true in your motherhood journey? Share your experience or join us on TikTok @thebarbellmama for evidence-based information that respects the uniqueness of your path.

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Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter

You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

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 real culprits appear to be coordination deficits (the pelvic floor contracting too late during impact) and weak gluteal muscles that fail to properly support the pelvic floor system. This suggests we need to move beyond simple Kegels to address the entire core system.

Equally exciting is new research examining highly active pregnant women who exercise more than 300 minutes weekly in their third trimester. These women experience fewer delivery complications than less active counterparts, though they show slightly higher rates of diastasis recti postpartum. Rather than recommending exercise reduction, we should focus on strengthening these athletes' core muscles and considering external support options to help them safely maintain their preferred activity levels.

Perhaps most transformative is the medical community's reconsideration of pelvic organ prolapse definitions. With up to 50% of women having anatomical findings that would classify as prolapse but only 3-8% experiencing symptoms, we're questioning whether we're pathologizing normal anatomy. The vagina naturally moves and shifts throughout the day—it's not a rigid structure. Current assessment methods don't reflect real-world function, creating unnecessary fear for many women.

These research developments collectively signal a more sophisticated approach to pelvic health—one that considers coordination, functional movement patterns, and individual variability rather than simplistic strength-focused solutions. For active women navigating motherhood, this evolution promises more effective support with fewer unnecessary restrictions.

___________________________________________________________________________
Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter

You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here!