The Lowdown with Bravemumma

29: Finding Passion and Purpose Living with Prolapse with Kimberly Smith.

DESCRIPTION
Kimmy Smith, exercise and yoga lover with expertise in the area of exercise throughout pregnancy and postnatal.
Kim was an elite athlete with the Australian Netball Squad prior to having children and was also a Corporate Lawyer. Kim moved on from both representative netball and the corporate law world to concentrate on her passion for health and fitness.
Kim has always maintained health and wellness through exercise however following the birth of her daughters realised there was little information available relating to birth injuries and how to improve your overall pelvic floor condition through exercise.
Kim has teamed up with a Women's Health Physiotherapist, Lyz Evans and they've created the 'Empowered Motherhood Program'. This is an award winning exercise program for women during pregnancy and in postnatal.
Kim draws upon her own birth experiences and discusses the need for more readily available information for women at all stages of their life to assist with strengthening their pelvic floors and understanding the functionality of their pelvic floor through specific exercise programs.  
Many women have no idea what prolapse is or understand the impact it can have on your life. Following the birth of her first child Kim was diagnosed with POP and given pamphlets to go away and read. The lack of support and knowledge led to her passion to improve this area of women's health.
 
This episode is for you if you want to learn more about:
improving and protecting the pelvic floor through exercise
medical examinations during pregnancy by a qualified exercise physiotherapist to assist with protecting the pelvic floor
building strength postnatally 
understanding the signs of a weak pelvic floor prior to and after giving birth
proactive strategies to assist with birth
provide the tools and support for women to regain pelvic floor health through exercise
struggles and balancing between motherhood and you (as a person)
mother guilt 
how to get the support you need from pre birth to post birth and beyond
share this episode with your loved ones who are becoming a mumma soon or in the near future
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
The Empowered Motherhood Program
Have a special offer for $30 off all of listeners
Use the code EMPAPP.
It is available through our website and includes instant access to the EMP App. 
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 
Special thank you to Lyn for these show notes. Great job mum! 
 

28: Ways to exercise and be healthy with prolapse - with Mish Wright

* Share this episode with your exercise and fitness professional * 
DESCRIPTION
A must listen to podcast with Mish Wright, change practitioner in the field of women's fitness, exercise and overall health. In acknowledging the importance of maintaining physical fitness and mental health through exercise it is also vital to understand that the 'one size fits all' philosophy does not apply to most women.
Women of all stages of life have engaged in some level of fitness and exercise.  But have we been left feeling deflated due to inability to continue due to problems with incontinence, or pelvic floor issues such as prolapse, or general pain in the pelvic area?  Or perhaps feelings of shame or embarrassment in talking about these issues with fitness instructors or exercise professionals?
There is a general lack of understanding in the fitness industry about women's health, particular as it relates to prolapse and incontinence. Mish is passionate about changing this and has developed many educational programs to inform women and fitness professionals.
Has your fitness instructor ever discussed issues relating to pelvic floor or the importance of correct technique?  Most instructors will inquire if you have an ankle injury, back injury etc. prior the commencement of the course but do they ask whether you have an injury relating to pelvic floor injury or suffer with incontinence?
In fact you may be causing more damage to your body without the essential knowledge and information relating to the right form of exercise for your body.
This episode is for you if you want to know more about:
what everyone can be doing now to help make change  
exercise and Fitness with POP
pelvic organ prolapse and avulsion
incontinence
shame and stigma associated with prolapse
menstrual cycles, peri-menopause and menopause 
hormones, Estrogen, Cortisol and bone density
personal training and prolapse 
prolapse surgery
 
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
Find out more about Mich: www.mishwright.com
EVEolution Coaches: Mishfit.com.au
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 
Special thank you to Lyn for these show notes. Great job mum! 

27: How To Know When it‘s Time for POP Surgery? with Sarah Prime - (Part 1)

How do you know it’s time to have POP surgery?  
This is a two part series with Sarah Prime, who talks in depth about her decision to have prolapse surgery. Sarah tells us why as a ‘younger’ woman she could no longer live a life like this. Sarah has done her research and has some top tips for the best chance of a positive outcome to navigate her new norm.  
Women living with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are often presented with three options to manage daily life. 
Physiotherapy
Pessaries 
Surgery 
(4. Live with it the best way you can when the above 3 are not successful.)
Generally surgery is the last option offered to women who’ve finished having children and are much ‘older’. We will check back in with Sarah for part two following her surgery and recovery. 
This episode is for you if you want to know about; 
childbirth 
pelvic organ prolapse 
jade eggs
pessaries 
POP surgery 
incontinence  
hysterectomy  
sex with prolapse 
invisible injuries and disability
motherhood 
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

26: How ‘Health Literacy‘ can Help Your Prolapse, with Dr Elizabeth Skinner

DESCRIPTION
When an Intensive Care Nurse and Midwife has personal experience with birth trauma, she decides to ‘think outside the box’ and become a change-maker. 
In our conversation with Dr Elizabeth Skinner, we dive deep into how women with prolapse go on to have another baby, or even be intimate again with their partners to become pregnant. 
Find out how ‘health literacy’ can assist with making the changes we need to see in this birthing and prolapse space. You may be surprised to find out how the birthing culture of ‘natural’ birth method actually came to be. 
This episode is for you if you want to know about;
Birth Trauma and injuries for women and their partners 
Pelvic Organ Prolapse 
Prolapse and sex 
Birthing centre 
Birth Wars - how birthing is political 
Vaginal birth 
Cesarean birth 
Forceps 
How to have a baby when you have a prolapse 
Prolapse as a disability 
Diagnosing prolapse with 3D imaging
Levator Ani 
Pelvic Floor 
Pessaries 
How to make an informed decision in your birth
 
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
Connect with Dr Elizabeth Skinner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizskinner/
Leave Your Review of the Podcast Here
 
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

25: Quick Tips & Tricks for Living with POP - The best clothes to wear with POP.

How To Find The Clothes to Fit with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Many women living with POP, finding the right clothes to fit comfortably all day can be difficult. This episode could be helpful for you if you want to find out more about how to choose an outfit and shoes to help you feel more comfortable throughout the day. 
If you have your own tip or trick when choosing an outfit with POP and would like to share it, leave a comment below or reach out via DM on Instagram @bravemumma
LINKS FOR YOU
Feet and Fannies Blog and Video demonstration 
Join the Bravemumma-hood 
Items mentioned in this episode:
Kmart Overalls 
Modibodi Underpants 
Custom Nike Shoes  
Frankie4

24: How to best support your birthing partner with Lucy Bloom

DESCRIPTION
Lucy Bloom is an award-winning leader and speaker, with an epic birth story of her own. Her book 'Cheers to Childbirth' is a birthing guide for dads and birthing partners. 
This episode explores the 'dream' image of what we expect our journey to motherhood to be. From having all the 'ducks in a row' before being pregnant, to birthing and trying to live two lives as both mum and professional.
By the end of this episode we hope to have planted a seed for women and their birthing partners to learn all they can to be able to go into childbirth feeling prepared (with having a chance to work through any fears). 
Lucy says; 'if your support person knows the right things to do, it will make birthing easier'.
This episode is for you if you want to know about;
how to support your partner during childbirth 
epic birth stories 
birth trauma 
pelvic organ prolapse
how to love being YOU and forget judgement 
vaginal tearing with vaginal birth 
how to stay away from birthing culture and birth politics 
balancing being a parent and a working professional
how dads and birthing partners can best support their birthing person 
Beer and Bubs Childbirth classes
men's (and birthing partners) perspective on childbirth 
knowing when to advocate for your birthing mumma 
cut through medical jargon in birth 
midwifery care and obstetrician care 
forceps births and cesarian section birth 
birth trauma and systemic birthing failures 
Favourite quote: 'There's no convenient time to have a baby'. 
Language warning: a few f*bombs are dropped within this conversation. 
 
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
Grab a FREE copy of from ‘Lads to Dads’ which is a collection of birth stories by blokes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/r4e2tqptw7
Find the book 'Cheers to Childbirth' here: https://cheerstochildbirth.com.au
Leave Your Review of the Podcast Here
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

23: Quick Tips & Tricks for Living with POP - Housework

How To Manage Daily Housework with Pelvic Organ Prolapse 
Many women leave their first diagnosis appointment with so much new information, but often they feel there was  nothing to help them to guide their daily lives. Sometimes this comes later on the road to recovery. For those who would like to fast track and get some tips now, this episode might be helpful for you.  
If you have your own tip or trick for managing housework with POP and would like to share it, leave a comment below or reach out via DM on Instagram @bravemumma
LINKS & CODES FOR YOU:
To be in the running to win a 'New Parent Care Pack' Giveaway - ENTER HERE 
Madame Flavour: Code: BRAVEDR for 20% off, plus free gift 
Join the Bravemumma community 
Book: The Day My Vagina Broke - what they don't tell you about childbirth

22: Finding a solution to your prolapse - a newly designed pessary with Kaitlin Maier.

DESCRIPTION
Are you one of those 50% of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) looking for solutions to manage this condition through the use of pessaries?
This conversation with Kaitlin Maier from REIA Health looks at this newly improved design and utilisation of pessaries for women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
REIA are hoping to achieve open availability of pessary for all women experiencing POP, worldwide distribution, with little to no practitioner intervention (following initial consultation) to enable women in remote locations self use of the pessary.
This episode is for you if you want to know about;
Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP
Brief history of pessaries 
Intergenerational family discussions on women's health
Women's health anatomy
Clinical trials 
Inclusion for women with additional conditions 
Innovation with pessaries 
How to prepare for a pessary fitting
LINKS FOR YOU
Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code: BRAVEDR to receive 20% off, plus a FREE gift box of tea. 
Sign up to the REIA Health Newsletter:  www.reiahealth.com
CREDITS
Host - Stephanie Thompson
Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes
Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk
Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose
Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 
Special thank you to Lyn for these show notes. Great job mum!