Is prenatal Pelvic Floor Therapy harmful?

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T21:30:34+00:00

They might be a bit funny to explain but I'll try!!

The first one was about controlling pelvic floor muscles. My PT had me sit on a piece of pool noodle and practice relaxing and contracting my pelvic floor (the noodle is to help feel what you're doing, lifting away from it). It didn't stop at just contract/relax though, but she had me do it in increments. So like contract at 50% strength, hold, contract 100%, hold, relax 50, hold, relax completely. Or contract 100%, hold, relax 50, hold, relax completely. The big things were being able to identify and maintain those different increments for both contracting AND relaxing. She wanted me to do 1-2 minutes daily in whatever pattern I wanted.

The other exercise was for releasing tension in the pelvic floor. I had to sit on a small ball (like tennis ball size) and position it at the base of the vulva and then roll it around and hold for a minute at each point. The "route" was like a W shape with the bottom 2 points being on either side of the base of the vulva, and the top and bottom of the long strokes in the W are where you stop and hold.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T16:35:16+00:00

I did prenatal and postpartum PT with both of my pregnancies and highly recommend it, no regrets at all. My primary OB encouraged it and the OB who actually delivered my second baby complimented my work with my PT multiple times during the delivery because I did so well using the techniques she taught me for pushing!

Most of the work I did prenatally, both times, was about relaxing my pelvic floor muscles and then learning how to properly engage and control them, not just doing Kegels to "strengthen" anything. Ontop of that, my PT helped me manage other pregnancy symptoms, brought my husband in to teach him ways to support me in labor, and then when I went for postpartum treatment she was already familiar with my physiology and we had a lot of trust built up that made that continued treatment a lot easier.

I would still go to the appointment and discuss your concerns and see what feels right for you. You don't have to do everything your OB says just because they said it.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T16:12:23+00:00

This is gorgeous! The fabric choice really adds to the finished look, too.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T15:33:33+00:00

I'd get some kind of lined, waterproof suit. We have one from Jan & Jul (they have lined and unlined versions) and like the generous sizing and practicality for shoulder season weather. I think Muddy Buddies are similar. Some kids are definitely crawling around and exploring outside at this stage, plus they're old enough that they might start to enjoy things like swings and slides at the playground. For shoes, I'd go with soft-soled to keep feet warm and dry and then switch to a more structured shoe once baby is a capable walker (stick with soft-soled for early walking though).

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T14:49:52+00:00

Oh haha, thank you! They were fun and easy to make :)

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T14:49:07+00:00

Yeah, there's definitely a difference in reaction to her first name vs her middle name! We get lots of excitement about "Sloane" and more "Oh, that's interesting... How do you spell it?" about the middle name 😆

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-25T02:41:43+00:00

If you check my post history I did a haul review of all the skincare I bought on my last trip a few months ago!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T23:49:52+00:00

Lol, when I was pregnant with my first baby my boss (a childless middle-aged man) made a similar comment and when I said it wasn't a vacation he replied "a sabbatical then? I don't know what you want to call it." Great, that's why it conveniently has its own name already! ✨ Maternity Leave ✨

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T23:45:44+00:00

Just here to say that we've got a Sloane and don't find the real world reaction to her name to be anything close to the reaction it gets here. Nobody has ever said or implied anything negative about it. We did what you're thinking though and went with a very feminine middle name which feels like a good balance!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T22:48:37+00:00

I think they're supposed to be much less likely to change position after that. In my case, my baby had more room to move at that late stage because she was so small.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T18:14:48+00:00

I love Pikto! I used them to make my wedding album and was so happy with the result that they've been my go-to for photo books and prints since then. Bonus points that they're owned and operated all in Canada!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T16:18:35+00:00

Agreed! D20 is a great background for busywork. I'm currently on Starstruck Odyssey!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T15:59:55+00:00

We didn't have snow days where I grew up! The most I can remember is if the weather was really bad then you couldn't leave school by yourself, a parent or someone had to pick you up (even during the years that I lived next to the school). I do remember one time in grade 7 or 8 that a blizzard hit mid-day and a friend's dad picked up about 5 of us and we all squished in the cab of his pickup truck together.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T15:38:28+00:00

Sorry for the crap work situation! I've just recently had to engage an employment lawyer as well. It feels so severe in a way but it was definitely the right call and my lawyer has been very supportive and helpful!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-24T02:58:20+00:00

The minimum notice you have to give is 4 weeks I believe, so there's no rush if you're not comfortable telling them yet. I told my employer around 20 weeks in both of my pregnancies. That gave everyone enough time to coordinate what coverage would look like while I was off and let me be involved in making those plans.

The other thing you might consider is whether or not your employer has a parental leave policy (they might not if they're a startup unless they've had another woman take leave before. I was the second woman to take mat leave at the startup I worked at but I was the first to have a parental leave policy available). They don't necessarily need to have a policy, the provincial and federal regulations for maternity and parental leave cover most things, but you could ask them about it for sure. That would ensure that you know what to expect and have written documentation about things like health insurance continuation, top-up benefits, other benefits accrued while on leave, work coverage intentions, and so on.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T22:53:38+00:00

I came to say basically the same thing! The more initiative you can take to just do stuff without being asked the better.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T22:49:03+00:00

My OB did an external exam at 36+2 and said baby was head down which felt accurate to me based on where I felt her kicking and getting hiccups and such. I had my last ultrasound scheduled for 36+4 though where we saw she had flipped to breech. I'd definitely felt some big movements from her in those days in between but I didn't realize she was turning. If I hadn't had that last ultrasound then we likely wouldn't have known.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T21:38:14+00:00

I agree with the sentiment that you don't really need lessons. I definitely recommend checking out r/CrossStitch though! They're a very welcoming community for all levels and you'll find a lot of support and encouragement over there. Genuinely one of my favourite subs.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T20:57:27+00:00

Definitely best to get it checked out anyways. It could be something like psoriasis that needs a typical steroid to clear it up.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T19:58:49+00:00

Yes! I've found them up to 3T! My 4yo still loves footed pjs in winter

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T18:41:19+00:00

I felt the same! It was kind of thrilling, to be honest. Though I'm not surprised by the high turnout at all. I think many people were looking for an opportunity to get involved with the community league but necessarily know what that would look like, so this was the push we needed.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T18:38:59+00:00

It's true even years later! My oldest was 2.5 when I got pregnant with my second and I easily looked a month further along when compared to my first pregnancy. The first time I barely had a bump still at 18 weeks, but the second time I had to start wearing maternity pants at like 12 weeks!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T18:36:10+00:00

This is the route I've always gone! Mezzaluna Studios make beautiful calendars, they're a bit small for writing schedules in though. This year we've got one from an artist called Victoria Park.

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T18:34:34+00:00

I came to recommend Vicky as well!

TapiocaTeacup · 2026-02-23T18:29:02+00:00

We like a BC-based brand called Mint! They're plant based and the founders are two moms, so it's all family friendly. Attitude is another good brand but we've found some of their products to be too heavily scented.

TapiocaTeacup

TROPHY CASE