75 | When The Vagina Whisperer Gives Birth - Sara Reardon

Sara Reardon is a pelvic floor health therapist. A therapist that works with the muscles, nerves, and tissues in the pelvic region of the body, muscles we are using every day in many different ways. Having been in this work for over eight years serving individuals on all spectrums of their birth journey, when she was pregnant with her first son, it was still a shock to her all the shifts and challenges of being pregnant.

But that work also encouraged her to be prepared for her birth. Working with individuals who came to her when they were experience issues or problems with their pelvic health, she wanted to do all she could to be on the preventive side. She hired a doula, surrounded herself with a care team that fully supported her vision for a low intervention, unmedicated birth, and educated herself on all her options. And at 38 and a half weeks, she was thrown into precipitous labor. Not being able to reach her doula, she relied on her husband to guide her through her comfort measures. Unbeknownst to them, she had dilated to 10 cm while at home, and upon arriving at the hospital and into a delivery room, her son was born 4 mins later.

Sara describes postpartum as being "harder than I ever expected." While her birth was amazing, she realized that centralized postpartum support was non-existent. She had questions about breastfeeding, tongue ties, bottle feeding, and navigating the unknowns of parenthood. There was never a direct line of where to get the support from, and what felt like always receiving another referral to someone who may or may not be able to help.

Sara and her husband eventually found their rhythm, but her experience also highlighted a lack of discussion around how important pelvic health was in that recovery. Her platform of the Vaginina Whisperer has shifted from just a social media account of pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic health tips to family and friends to serve as a comprehensive resource focused on improving access to pelvic health physical therapy and education for individuals worldwide. The Vagina Whisperer treats individuals of all genders in both in-person offerings from their office in New Orleans, Louisiana, and online services to support those afar. No matter where you are on your pelvic health journey, seeking care from a pelvic health therapist can be beneficial. To connect with Sara, head to her website, or find her on Instagram.

Resources:

The Birth Partner | a complete guide to childbirth for dads, partners, doulas, and all other labor companions by Penny Simkin

Pelvic Rehab | directory for patients searching for pelvic rehabilitation practitioners

Academy of Pelvic Health | pelvic health therapist directory