As we have said many times in the past, education is a form of healthcare. When it comes to your pelvic health, the better understanding you have of the physiology of the area and changes in pregnancy and childbirth, the more empowered you will feel! So today we are chatting with Aliya Dhalla, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, about the basic structure of the pelvic floor, the changes undergone during pregnancy, and how and when a physiotherapist can be useful - even with remote consultations which empower you with the tools and knowledge to understand and heal your own body!

What is the Pelvic Floor?

As the name would suggest, the pelvic floor is literally the bottom of your pelvis, the bony structure that connects our legs to our spine. Imagine it like a hammock or a layer of tissue that sits on the bottom of that pelvis and is made up of three layers of muscles, connective tissue, nerves, fascia, and so on. The pelvic floor helps us do a lot of things that typically happen in our...

There is a lot doctors and scientists still don’t fully understand about what includes labour, both pre and at term. But we do know that there are treatments that can reduce your chance of having a preterm birth, especially if you have had one in the past. Studies have shown that prenatal education is a key factor in reducing preterm birth rates, which can be crucial in creating a more positive overall birth experience both physically and mentally for mama and baby. So just by listening to this podcast you could be setting yourself upon a healthier journey into parenthood!

Preterm birth can be especially traumatic for those living in remote communities with limited access to specialized healthcare and newborn intensive care units (NICUs). This is why in 2018 Drs. Kirsten Duckitt and Jennifer Kask, our guests on today’s podcast, developed a prevention of preterm birth pathway in Northern Vancouver Island that is spreading to other remote communities. They share with us a...

Today’s special episode examines the often undiscussed topic of birth trauma. Our guest Teela Tomassetti, a therapist for over 15 years specializing in trauma, had decided to pursue a PhD in birth trauma in dedication to a close friend’s traumatic experience. She did not know at the time that she would be facing a birth trauma of her own. Teela generously shares her personal story with us, discusses with Dr. Sarah how birth trauma can be defined, and how you might reach out for help if you feel you may have experienced it.

What is Birth Trauma?

While there is not one specific way to define birth trauma, one prevalent characteristic is that at its root it is a form of loss. That is not to say birth trauma is only defined as a literal loss of life, but a monumental experience where a part of your life or body has been profoundly altered. We often detach from the experience out of the need to lessen the pain of that loss, and to conform with societal pressure to move on...

How Will COVID-19 affect my birth? 

Many women are asking about what changes may happen at the hospital, and if they are at increased risk while giving birth.  

We have just had an update from our local hospital in Victoria, BC.  If you are from elsewhere please ask your caregiver if there are any changes at your hospital. 

Covid-19 is a virus which is spread by large droplets (sneezing, coughing) but it can also live on surfaces for a few days, which makes it highly transmissible and can spread easily, especially if we do not practice good hand hygiene.   As a result we are trying to limit the spread from person to person as much as possible.  For more info on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in pregnancy and breastfeeding, check out this blog post.  Find more info on COVID-19 and social distancing here. 

Here are the recommendations around pregnancy and delivery at Victoria General Hospital:

Worried about COVID-19 in...