The journey toward understanding diastasis recti has been filled with misconceptions, fear, and outdated advice. As a pelvic floor physical therapist who's witnessed this evolution firsthand, I'm sharing why our approach to core health in pregnancy needs a complete reframe.What exactly is diastasis recti? It's not a tear or split, but rather a normal lengthening of the tissue between your rectus (six-pack) muscles to accommodate your growing baby. For years, we've defined it as a gap wider than two finger widths during a head lift – but recent research shows over 57% of the general population has this "condition," whether they've been pregnant or not. When more than half of us have this supposed "dysfunction," perhaps we need to reconsider what's actually normal.The advice to avoid all "coning" (that visible dome shape along your midline during exercise) has scared countless pregnant people away from maintaining their core strength. This fear-based approach often leads to unnecessary deconditioning that makes postpartum recovery harder, not easier. I've seen this both in my clinical practice and in my own pregnancies – the pregnant athletes who maintained appropriate strength training often bounce back faster, even if they experienced some coning along the way.Leading experts like Diane Lee are now suggesting we need completely new frameworks – perhaps only considering gaps of four finger widths or greater as clinically meaningful, while also incorporating functional strength assessments and quality of life measures. The gap measurement alone tells us very little about how well your core functions or how you feel in your daily activities.Ready to rethink everything you've been told about your core during pregnancy? Join me as we explore the science behind these changing perspectives and discover how to stay strong through pregnancy without unnecessary fear.What have you been told about diastasis recti? Share your experience or questions, and let's continue this important conversation about pregnancy, strength, and our evolving understanding of what's truly normal.___________________________________________________________________________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!
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34:36
Bracing and Belting for Performance and The Pelvic Floor
Having a strong brace is important for lifting heavy weights. It is a critical part of CrossFit, powerlifting and weightlifting. Not to mention just life. We use bracing when we move couches, pick up our kiddos etc. Weightlifting belts are a performance aid that really helps us to create stiffness through our midline to lift more as well. We did an entire video on it on our YouTube channel. Knowing HOW to brace and use a weightlifting belt though is super important for our pelvic floors AND our performance. 50% of women pee when they lift heavy weights. That is a massive number! But there is things we can do about it. We break it all down in this week's podcast episode If youre interested in learning specifica considerations for returning to bracing postpartum, check out our Barbells after Babies Webinar free. ___________________________________________________________________________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!
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34:45
Olympic Lifting Modifications for Pregnancy and Postpartum Athletes
When you're passionate about Olympic weightlifting, pregnancy doesn't mean you have to abandon the barbell—it means learning to adapt with intelligence and awareness. Christina Prevett breaks down the crucial modifications that keep both mom and baby safe while preserving hard-earned technique.The conversation explores four key considerations every pregnant weightlifter needs to understand. First, contact points and bar path must adapt as your baby bump grows—not because contact is dangerous, but because forcing traditional positioning can develop technical habits that are difficult to break postpartum. Second, the speed and depth of squats require personalized modification based on how your changing body feels in these positions. Third, setup positions from the floor may need elevation or stance adjustments to accommodate your growing belly. Finally, breathing strategies can shift from traditional bracing to continuous exhales that maintain core stability while respecting pregnancy physiology.What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical postpartum guidance. Christina explains why technique, not strength, becomes the limiting factor after delivery. The dramatic shift from pregnant to non-pregnant happens rapidly, leaving many athletes feeling disconnected from their body awareness. Starting with empty barbell work becomes crucial for proprioceptive retraining before adding load.Special attention is given to C-section recovery, with innovative modifications like the "no contact snatch" that respect surgical healing while maintaining training consistency. The guidance extends to belt use timelines and core rehabilitation approaches that transfer directly to barbell performance.Whether you're planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or navigating postpartum return, this episode provides the blueprint for maintaining your weightlifting practice safely through all phases of motherhood. Ready to keep the barbell in your life through pregnancy and beyond? This is your roadmap.___________________________________________________________________________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!
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35:02
Everything you need to know about Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain
Over half to as manyas 75% of pregnant individuals will experience some amount of muscular pain. The most common of which is pelvic girdle pain. So many mamas can go to their providers and be told that there is nothing that they can do and that theyjust need to "wait until the baby comes out" That is simply not true! In this episode, Christina breaks down the myths then talks about the methods of treatment for pelvic girdle pain during your pregnancy. If this is you, don't worry - there are things we can do to help! ___________________________________________________________________________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!
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32:01
Beyond the Uniform: Why Pelvic Floor Function Matters for Service Women
Christina Prevett shares powerful insights about pelvic floor issues in the military and advocates for better awareness and support for female service members. She connects her personal experience using exercise as a coping mechanism during difficult times to the importance of movement for pregnant and postpartum women's mental health.• One in three female service members experience pelvic floor or genitourinary complaints• Military physical testing and duties place significant demands on the pelvic floor• Six key gaps exist in military support: lack of education, stigma, toilet access during deployment, urge suppression, menstrual cycle management, and pregnancy/postpartum fitness• Research shows high-strain activities like paratrooper training can change vaginal wall mobility even in women who haven't given birth• Pelvic floor issues can be categorized as "not strong enough," "not coordinated enough," or "too tight" syndromes• Sexual trauma in military settings may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction• Building resilience through proper mechanics and individualized rehabilitation is key for returning to duty after pregnancy• These principles apply broadly to women in physically demanding occupations beyond the militaryI hope you found that interesting. If you have any other questions or comments, let me know. Otherwise, have an incredible week and I will talk to you all next time.___________________________________________________________________________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!
About The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health
The Barbell Mamas podcast aims to be the go-to resource for women trying to conceive, who are pregnant or postpartum that love moving their bodies. The times are changing and moms have athletic goals, want to exercise at high-intensity or lift heavy weights, and want to be able to continue with their exercise routines during pregnancy, after baby and with healthcare providers that support them along the way. In this podcast, we are going to bring you up-to-date health and fitness information about all topics in women's health with a special lens of exercise. With standalone episodes and special guests, we hope to help you feel prepared and supported in your motherhood or pelvic health journey.
Listen to The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health, Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Ireland