How Becoming a Mom Shaped My Mission

Prior to becoming pregnant, I was a pediatric occupational therapist treating children and families with physical and developmental disabilities as well as feeding difficulties. Maternal care was always something I had a secret love for, I just never felt quite right diving into that space until I had firsthand experience. 

Being a former athlete with a background in both strength training and occupational therapy, I felt confident and prepared when it came to exercising throughout pregnancy. The postpartum experience on the other hand — that all took me by surprise. Not so much the changes that my mind and body would go through but the huge lack of support and guidance offered by providers.

I ended up having a C-section, and probably like many of you, was given my baby, sent home after a couple of days of monitoring, and told that my provider would check in at my 6 week appointment.

As an athlete who has gone through injuries and rehab, to say I was shocked by this process is an understatement.

Hear me out:

When you tear your ACL (a ligament in your knee) there is a strict protocol that providers follow.
→ You are typically sent home after surgery with some in bed exercises to begin after x-amount of days.
→ You are often given a machine that will help move your leg through gentle range of motion, and you are automatically referred to a physical therapist.
→ You are given instruction on scar care and healing, and encouraged to participate in physical therapy for 9-12 MONTHS before returning to prior activity.

But when you birth a baby — whether vaginally or via C-section — none of that is provided. 🤯
Your body just went through an extremely taxing event whether it was labor and delivery, a major surgery, or both and you’re sent home — both mentally and physically exhausted — with no instruction except, see you in 6-8 weeks. 
How is this the reality?

After my experience, I took things personal and made it my mission to educate myself to be able to educate others on how to train well through pregnancy — but also how to recover well postpartum, and return to previous activities in a well informed, safe and methodical manner. 

Because no matter what stage of motherhood you're in — even if you're planning for pregnancy — you deserve to feel energized and capable of completing your favorite activities safely and pain free.