Most of us were never taught what “normal” actually looks like downstairs, so the first postpartum mirror check can feel like a jump scare. I’m Christina, a pelvic floor physical therapist and strength athlete, and I’m going straight into the anatomy most people avoid talking about: what your vagina looks like, why vaginal walls touch, and how movement is built into the design, not a sign you’re broken.
We unpack why things can look and feel different throughout the day with gravity, coughing, workouts, pregnancy, vaginal delivery, and age and why that shift can trigger real fear around pelvic organ prolapse. I also explain why it’s rarely accurate to blame a single run, lift, or “doing too much too soon” as the sole cause of new pelvic floor symptoms. Like many overuse injuries, the full story usually includes recovery, stress, strength, and how your body is adapting to a new baseline.
Then we get practical with pelvic health basics that change everything: how often you should poop, why toilet posture matters, and how pelvic floor relaxation is just as important as pelvic floor strength. I also dig into the messy side of diagnosis language, including diastasis recti cutoffs and how a label can sometimes create more alarm than clarity if it’s not paired with good education and a function-first plan.
If you want calm, evidence-informed postpartum recovery guidance that supports both real life and strength training, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more moms can find the show.
___________________________________________________________________________
Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter
You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.
Interested in our programs? Check us out here!