The Lowdown with Bravemumma

77: The Ultimate Lowdown: Final thoughts and Conclusions for Your Pelvic Health in this Season Finale

DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the season finale of The Lowdown with Bravemumma, a community dedicated to supporting and empowering women living with pelvic organ prolapse.
It's been an incredible journey this season, and in today's episode, we're going to take a look back at all the insightful conversations we've had. If you missed any of the episodes, consider this your cheat sheet to catch up and find the information you need.
Let's do it! 
NB: You may notice that episode 70 is missing from this list. It was an unintentional oversight and you should check it out if your are wanting to know more about breath work. 
Links For You:
All updates can be found here in the off season: https://linktr.ee/bravemumma 
1. The Empowered Motherhood Program: https://www.empoweredmother.com.au/
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
3. Prolapse Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforwomenlivingwithpop
 
Books:
The Day My Vagina Broke
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

76: Revolutionising Pessaries: The Future of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatment Revealed - Find Out When You Can Try It, an update from REIA Health

DESCRIPTION
If you're seeking help living with pelvic organ prolapse to manage your symptoms, look no further than this episode. Join us for this follow-up conversation with Kaitlin Maier from REIA Health. 
Listen to episode #22 with Kaitlyn for the first interview before this update: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-eu8rn-113304b
(The Promotion with Madame Flavour Tea is no longer available, sorry). 
Sign up for the REIA newsletter for the latest updates on the FDA approval and when you will be able to try this new pessary for you. 
Let us know what you think of this update. Leave your comments below or DM via Instagram @bravemumma. 
This episode is for you if you want to know more about:
pelvic organ prolapse 
pessaries for prolapse
prolapse symptoms 
medical trials 
advocating for better women's pelvic health
Links For You:
1. Special Guest: Kaitlyn from REIA Health. Sign up for their newsletter: https://www.reiahealth.com/
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
3. Prolapse Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforwomenlivingwithpop
 
Books:
The Day My Vagina Broke
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

75: Unlock Your Optimum Pelvic Health - Discover the Surprising Benefits of Pilates for Women’s Health with the Founder of the Pilates Project

DESCRIPTION
If you're seeking effective ways to enhance your pelvic health and reduce your prolapse symptoms, look no further than Pilates. Join us in this enlightening interview with Maghan from The Pilates Project as we delve into the unexpected advantages of Pilates for women facing pelvic organ prolapse.
Discover how Pilates can not only bolster your pelvic health but also unlock your overall fitness potential. This podcast conversation will equip you with valuable insights to kickstart your Pilates journey with ZERO equipment and witness the transformative benefits firsthand. From mental well-being to exercise, fitness, and managing POP symptoms, we leave no stone unturned.
If you're eager to embark on a path toward improved pelvic health, listen to this interview with Maghan.
This episode is for you if you want to know more about:
pelvic organ prolapse 
Pilates for prolapse
movement as your medicine
how to create a new exercise routine that sticks
prolapse symptoms and exercise
how to do Pilates at home with ZERO equipment 
advocating for better women's pelvic health
Links For You:
1. 50% off your first month of Pilates Project: http://studio.pilatesproject.com/checkout?code=bravemumma&plan=monthly
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
3. Prolapse Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforwomenlivingwithpop
 
Books:
The Day My Vagina Broke
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

74:A Better Way to Support Your Pelvic Health: Lauren Flemming’s Journey with Prolapse and Hem Support Wear

DESCRIPTION
In this episode, we continue the conversation around support garments for women living with pelvic organ prolapse. Our special guest Lauren Flemming is a mumma of two little 'kiddos' and after her personal struggles with prolapse decided to design her own support garment after being unsatisfied with what was available on the market. 
Lauren shares how she's designed the first support garment that is also your underwear, eliminating the need for multiple layers. Lauren is passionate about helping other women living with prolapse symptoms and will be ready to share her design this coming June/July. 
Sign up for the Hem Support Ware newsletter to be the first to know when they have launched. 
Newsletter 10% off sign up: https://hemsupportwear.com/
This episode is for you if you want to know more about:
pelvic organ prolapse 
support garments for prolapse 
pelvic floor physiotherapy for prolapse 
prolapse education 
prolapse and thrush
advocating for better women's pelvic health
NB: The sound for this episode has been produced to the best quality possible. We do apologize for the slight eco and thought this conversation was too valuable not to share. 
Links For You:
Special Guest - Lauren Flemming: https://hemsupportwear.com/
1. Hem Support Wear IG: https://www.instagram.com/hemsupportwear/
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
3. Prolapse Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforwomenlivingwithpop
 
Books: The Day My Vagina Broke - https://www.amazon.com.au/Day-My-Vagi...
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mail...
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

73: Navigating Your Caesarean Birth: Expert Advice for an Empowered Birth Experience with Midwife and C-section Whisperer Leonie Rastas

DESCRIPTION
In this episode, we continue the conversation around Caesarean Awareness Month with our special guest Leonie Rastas, also known as the C-section whisperer. With her background in midwifery and having six children of her own born via C-section, Leonie is an expert in all things related to C-section birth and recovery.
Leonie shares her experience and expertise on topics such as birth trauma, advocating for yourself during a C-section birth, recovering from a C-section, VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section), and more. She also talks about the importance of continuing the conversation around Caesarean awareness beyond this awareness month.
This episode is for you if you want to know more about:
Caesarean birth
Recovery from a C-section birth
Birth trauma
Advocating for yourself during a C-section birth
VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section)
Continuing the conversation around Caesarean awareness
Links For You:
Special Guest:  Leonie Rastas https://www.caesarcare.com/ 
We're also excited to share The Empowered Motherhood App is supporting our Bravemumma Community by providing 10% off the lifetime of your membership when you use the code BRAVE10. *This needs to be purchased via their website (not the app). 
1. The Empowered Motherhood Program: https://www.empoweredmother.com.au/
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free.
3. Instagram: @bravemumma
 
Credits:
Host: Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack: Steven Robinson
 

72: Is Building a Strong Booty the Secret to a Better Functioning Pelvic Floor and Prolapse Management? A Conversation with Hayley Wildsmith

DESCRIPTION
In this week's episode of our podcast, we switch things up a little and bring back Season 1 guest, Hayley Wildsmith from Auckland Hypopressives. She shares her recent experience with pelvic organ prolapse surgery and talks about her latest creation, The Booty Kit, which focuses on glute strength to improve overall health and support core and pelvic floor function.
Hayley shares a unique and helpful analogy called the 'jellyfish' technique for better pelvic floor control. This episode is perfect for those who want to learn more about pelvic organ prolapse management, strengthening glutes for proper function, deep core strength, breathing mechanics for the pelvic floor and respiratory system, structural support for the pelvic floor, collagen, body self-love, and more.
If you are interested in seeing what is in the Booty Kit, head over to our Youtube Channel to watch the video. 
This episode is for you if you want to know more about: 
pelvic organ prolapse 
how to manage prolapse symptoms 
strengthening your glutes for function  
deep core strength 
respiratory system and pelvic 
breathing mechanics 
structural support for your pelvic floor 
strong deep core, transverse abdominis 
collagen  
pelvic floor stress and trauma 
cellulite and aesthetics 
body self-love 
The Booty Kit
'Mum bum' 
Clenching with prolapse 
function first - aesthetics are a by-product 
Levator-ani avulsions 
Weakening muscles and atrophy if you stop moving to function 
Emssella Chair 
EMS - Electronic Muscle Stimulation 
Pilates for pelvic organ prolapse 
Kegels 
Hypertonic pelvic floor 
Pessaries 
Online programs for prolapse 
Jelly Fish analogy - how to regulate your pelvic floor
The banana roll
Special Guest: Hayley https://alwaysbootyful.com/
As a special gift to our Bravemumma community, Hayley offers a discount code, "PODCAST," for $50 off Slim Waist Packages, Gym Deluxe Packages, and Online Training Programs. 
Stay tuned for updates from my experience with using the Booty Kit in the coming weeks. 
Links For You:
We're also excited to share The Empowered Motherhood App is supporting our Bravemumma Community by providing 10% off the lifetime of your membership when you use the code BRAVE10. 
*This needs to be purchased via their website (not the app). 
1. The Empowered Motherhood Program: https://www.empoweredmother.com.au/
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free.
3. Instagram: @bravemumma
Credits:
Host: Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

71: Healing from Cesarean Birth and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Expert Tips from SRC Support Garment Founder, Sinead O’Donovan

Description: 
In this episode, Steph and her guest, Sinead talk about the difficulties and hardships that women who have had cesarean section births can go through, as well as how to recover from them, and the risk factors that can lead to pelvic organ prolapse. Sinead discusses her own struggles with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and how those struggles inspired her to develop the SRC support garments. These garments are intended to give support to women who are experiencing pelvic organ prolapse.
Introduction  [00:00:00 - 00:11:03]
Sinead discussed her experience with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and how it led to the development of the SRC support garments. Sinead experienced pelvic girdle pain during her second and third pregnancies, including ongoing pain and difficulty with day-to-day activities. After experiencing pelvic girdle pain during her cesarean section birth, she made the decision to develop supportive garments for women.
 
The Pregnancy Product [00:11:03 - 00:20:48] 
Women who are having pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, vulva varices, and swelling or varicose veins of the leg are the target audience for Sinead's recommendation of the pregnancy product. It can be worn either under or over the bump, depending on your preference. 
 SRC Recuperation Including the technical design of the garment, shorts for postpartum recovery, and perineal wounds for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence are being developed.
 
Inspiration From Adversity  [00:20:48 - 00:34:06] 
Sinead outlines the procedures for returning and exchanging SRC support garments, as well as the warranty that includes a full refund of the purchase price. Steph and Sinead talk about the necessity of having the correct size for the SRC support garments and how they should feel supportive without being restrictive. Steph and Sinead also explain the importance of getting the correct fit. Steph comments on Sinead's path in developing the SRC support garments and turning her personal experience into a good solution for women's pelvic health. Sinead was inspired to create these garments by her own struggles with pelvic pain.
 
If any of this is resonating with you right now and you have been through this path, you can reach out below.
Links For You:
1. Get more support with your prolapse via the Empowered Motherhood Program App. Receive 10% off the lifetime of your membership: Use the code BRAVE10
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
 
Special Guest: Sinead O'Donovan: https://srchealth.com/
 
Books: The Day My Vagina Broke - https://www.amazon.com.au/Day-My-Vagi...
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mail...
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson

70: A Holistic Approach to Managing Your Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Breath-work and Nutrition with Benedicte Siva from Rock with Your POP

Description: 
In the episode, we discuss the importance of taking a holistic approach to one's health and being mindful of language when discussing pelvic organ prolapse.
Introduction (00:00:00 - 00:02:06)
In today’s episode, Steph and Benedict discuss Benedict's journey as a Health Coach and mum living with pelvic organ prolapse and how she has used holistic approaches, including breath work and nutrition, to manage her symptoms.
Benedict's journey with prolapse and holistic approaches [00:02:50 - 00:05:25] 
Benedict shares her initial attempts to resolve prolapse, including being told she needed surgery and her decision to take a holistic approach. She also discussed the importance of using healing language rather than language that implies brokenness or the need for fixing.
Diet and symptoms [00:06:48 - 00:12:36]
Benedict talks about her journey towards nourishing herself with healthy food and being mindful of what she eats. The importance of gut health and how it affects physical and emotional symptoms.
Breath-work [00:12:36 - 00:25:19]
Benedict shares her journey with breath work and how it helped her manage stress and become a health coach. She also emphasized the importance of being in a relaxed state to heal and regenerate cells and how she started implementing five minutes of breathing a day and how it helped her become more resilient to stress.
The importance of breathwork and relaxation [00:25:19 - 00:40:57]
This explains how breathing from the top of the chest sends a message to the brain that we are stressed, and the importance of deep breathing for relaxation. Benedict demonstrates a breathwork technique called the physiological sigh, which has been scientifically proven to bring instant relaxation.
Let us know how this technique worked for you. Send a DM via Instagram @bravemumma. 
Links For You:
1. Get more support with your prolapse via the Empowered Motherhood Program App. Receive 10% off the lifetime of your membership: Use the code BRAVE10
2. Podbean: Use code Bravemum30 for the first 30 days of podcast hosting for free. 
 
Special Guest: Benedicte Siva: https://www.instagram.com/rockwithyourpop/
 
Books: The Day My Vagina Broke - https://www.amazon.com.au/Day-My-Vagi...
Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mail...
 
Connect & Contact Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/
Bravemumma website: https://www.bravemumma.com/
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Podcast logo artist: Khrystyna Lukashchuk
Brand Designer: Brodie-Rose Original
Soundtrack: Steven Robinson