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The 6 Week Myth…READY or NOT???

(Image source: https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20866684/10-weird-things-no-one-tells-you-about-when-returning-to-running-post-baby/) Is the 6 week mark after having your baby really a green light to go back to all pre-pregnancy activities?? As a Mom of four and a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, I would say with encouragement it is more of a YELLOW LIGHT: Please proceed with caution! Why?  A 6 week check in with either your midwife or family doctor may lead to the conclusion that all “looks down there”, but this may not Read more…

By Corina Kerrison, ago

Bladder Irritants

Did you know that what you eat and drink can affect your urge to pee, and add to difficulties with incontinence?  Have you ever had a big cup of coffee and then had to quickly rush to the toilet?  There are certain substances that are known to irritate the bladder muscle and cause it to contract.  I always joke with my patients that “everything good in the world” is a bladder irritant.  Caffeine, alcohol, citrus, Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

Sex After Baby

You’ve had your baby… yay!  You go for your 6 week postpartum check with your maternity healthcare provider and they assure you that your soft tissue healing is complete… yay!   You get the “all clear” for getting back to all of your “usual” activities and you can totally be intimate with your partner again… yay!!!!… wait… what??? There are many factors influencing comfort with return to sex.  Aside from feeling emotionally ready to do so, Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

Tips and Tricks for Lifting and Carrying your Baby’s Car Seat

How you lift and carry your baby’s car seat is very important for keeping your own body happy and healthy.  An average car seat is about 15 pounds, and when you add in the weight of your baby, things start to get heavy!   Here are a few tips to protect your back, pelvic floor, and pelvic organs: Lift with your legs when picking up the car seat (think about using a squat, split squat, or Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

GUEST BLOG POST: A Must For Mama’s- Perinatal Health Classes

When I got pregnant the emotions were overwhelming! Becoming a mom was something I had dreamed about for years and now, here I was about to become a first-time mom, and I was beyond excited. I knew pregnancy would change my body in many more ways than just physically. Of course, there would be weight gain, cravings, and a roller coaster of hormones. The number of things that I worried about was endless, with the Read more…

By Ashley Makins, ago

Channel your Birth Warrior

In the process of booking flights for a family trip coming up in a few months, I had to enter my son’s age at the time of travel,  and I realized he will soon be 10 years old! My youngest baby is going to be in the double digits! This took me down memory lane… checking out photos of when he was born, I came across this gem:) Now, I realize this is definitely not Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

How to Hold your Baby Without Sacrificing your Back, Abdominal Wall, and Pelvic Floor

As I babysat my new niece this week, I was quickly reminded of just how much babies love being held and rocked, like… at all times:). Constantly standing and soothing a baby can be extremely tiring and hard on a new mother’s healing body!    Often when we stand holding a baby, especially for long periods of time, we end up leaning back with our baby’s weight on our chest.  Our hips have a tendency to Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

Our Favourite Postpartum Pose

Viparita Karani / Legs up The Wall The pelvic health physiotherapist and the yoga therapist in me agree: our all-time favourite pose for postpartum women is Viparita Karani. In Sanskrit, viparita means “reversed”, “inverted” or “opposite”, and karani means “doing” or “making”.  After childbirth, I believe this is just what we need: to focus more on reversing/inverting all of the doing/making for a while!  Our bodies, minds, and spirits have collectively been very busy getting Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

Prepare Your Pelvic Floor Workshop

Pregnant?   Join us for a 75-minute workshop to prepare your pelvic floor for labour and delivery! You will learn: How to find your pelvic floor Pelvic floor activation during daily activities Kegel basics Pelvic floor relaxation Pelvic floor Delivery Prep Perineal massage techniques External ball release for the pelvic floor Pushing positions and techniques When: November 13th, or December 11th 2018 5:30pm- 6:45pm        Where: Optimum Perinatal Health inside Liv Activ A201, 1600 Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago

Partner’s Workshop for Labour and Delivery

Bring your partner with you to this 75 minute workshop! You will learn: What to do in Early Labour How to Manage Active Labour Optimal Labour Positions  Optimal Breathing Techniques Tips for Partner / Labour Support Person Massage Most Effective Acupressure Points Optimal Birthing Positions When: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5:30pm- 6:45pm        Where: Optimum Perinatal Health inside Liv Activ A201, 1600 90th Ave SW Cost: $65 per couple Register: Online at Read more…

By Gina Cerantola, ago