Body Ready Method

Pros Talk
Pregnancy

Body Ready Method Body Ready Method

Pros Talk
Pregnancy


Episode 12 10/7/2022

Being too flexible during birth: How much is too much?

with Monika Patel

Ep12: Being too flexible during birth: How much is too much? With Monika Patel

Have you ever thought or heard that the best way to have an easier birth is to stretch a lot? Or that flexibility = better birth? Sometimes being too flexible can actually create some problems. While yes, it is important to be mobile, there is a difference between mobility and flexibility. This episode is all about being “too flexible” during pregnancy. We are joined by Physical Therapist and creator of Train4Birth, Monika Patel.

Did you know joint laxity increases by about 10% during pregnancy?

In this episode, Monika talks about the lack of information on the musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy available to expectant parents especially if they are hypermobile. We chatted about what hypermobility is, how much of a culprit relaxing is, issues that can present themselves during pregnancy and birth, and what we should do about it. Monika shares with us the type of movements that are recommended for hypermobile people to prepare their bodies for birth. She also shares some great nuggets, including simple questions that she asks her clients who may be showing signs of being “too flexible”.

We also discuss how the labor and birth of a hypermobile person can be different from those who aren’t hypermobile. If you work in the perinatal space you will have a client with hypermobility at some point. It’s so important that as birth pros, we understand what’s going on and what we can do about it, ensuring our clients can have the most efficient birthing experience.

About the Guest

Monika Patel, DPT, CSCS graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2016. She went on to get additional years of training in orthopedics and pelvic health through the Institute of Advanced Manual Therapy and is now working on her Certificate of Obstetrics through the American Physical Therapy Association.

She currently is the lead therapist in a direct primary care doctors office in Chattanooga and works primarily with parents, pre and post partum. Professionally, she thrives off helping people address and prevent neuromuscular challenges and live their most functional lives. She started Train4Birth, a virtual education and coaching program for expecting parents to make access to doctoral level care affordable and accessible.

She is the mother of a delightful three year old son, loves to be outdoors, attempt random art projects, and is passionate about improving access to greenways.
Facebook: Train4Birth
Instagram:  @train4birth
Show notes: www.train4birth.com

Thank you for listening! If you have a birth professional in mind that you would like for us to chat with, please email podcast@bodyreadymethod.com

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