121- Pregnancy Fitness 101 | How to Stay Strong, Protect Your Pelvic Floor, and Prep for Birth

121- Pregnancy Fitness 101 | How to Stay Strong, Protect Your Pelvic Floor, and Prep for Birth

Author: Dr. Desiree Cassell | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Women’s Health Specialist, Strong and Fit Momma August 14, 2025 Duration: 30:38
Are you pregnant and feeling unsure about how to exercise safely without putting yourself — or your baby — at risk? Maybe you’ve heard conflicting advice like “just keep doing what you were doing” or “only walk and stretch” and now you’re stuck wondering what’s actually safe. In this episode of Pelvic Floor, Core & More, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about prenatal fitness so you can move with confidence, stay strong throughout pregnancy, and prepare your body for a smoother birth and postpartum recovery. We’ll cover: ✅ The truth about exercising while pregnant — and which myths you can ignore for good ✅ How your core and pelvic floor change during pregnancy (and why that matters for every workout you do) ✅ Safe, essential movements for strength, mobility, and pelvic floor health in each trimester ✅ Red flags to watch for so you can modify your workouts before small issues become big problems ✅ How to use exercise to prep for labor, delivery, and recovery — so you can start postpartum from a place of strength Whether you’re in your first trimester or counting down the weeks to delivery, this episode will give you the tools to feel confident, capable, and connected to your changing body. 💛 You’ll Learn: Why adaptation — not elimination — is the key to safe prenatal workouts How breathwork supports both pelvic floor health and core stability during pregnancy The top movements I recommend for strong hips, a balanced core, and less pain during pregnancy Why pelvic floor relaxation is just as important as strengthening for birth prep 🎧 Listen now and discover how to keep moving in a way that supports your body, your baby, and your birth goals. 📲 Want guided, prenatal-safe workouts + pelvic floor education? Join my RESTORE program inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More app — your home for holistic, trimester-friendly movement, breathwork, and education. Mentioned in This Episode: 💖 RESTORE — My 12-week program for pelvic floor, core & nervous system healing 📲 Download the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App — Breathwork, movement, and guided recovery tools 🎧 Want more? Listen to: “What to Do When You Feel Disconnected From Your Body” Healing isn’t about doing more — it’s about tuning in. You’re not broken, mama. And you don’t have to wait to begin. 💫 💖 Want Personalized Support? Book a virtual or in-person pelvic floor physical therapy session tailored to YOU. 📧 Email: PTDes@balancedmomtality.com 🌿 Join the Momtality Community: 👯‍♀️ Free Facebook Group: Balanced Momtality Wellness + Support 💌 Get on the VIP list: https://newsletter.balancedmomtality.com/ 💬 Stay Connected: IG: @the_balanced_momtality FB: @thebalancedmomtality Web: www.balancedmomtality.com 🎧 Share the love: Found this powerful? Send it to a mama who’s ready to rise — and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 💫 Begin Your Journey with RESTORE & Continue the Full Embodiment Inside The Empowered Core Collective! This on-demand 12-week program blends physical therapy, breathwork, and core strengthening — all inside your pocket. Or Choose to join my signature 6 mo Group Coaching Program The Empowered Core, where I guide you with support, new tools and mind/body connection throughout the 12 wks in RESTORE and 3 more mo beyond so you can have the time and tools to fully embody this transformation! 📲 Download PCM App iTunes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pelvic-floor-core-more/id6740750561  📲 Download PCM App Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pqw8e051gua.pmh8skrtsapp&pcampaignid=web_share 💻 More info about RESTORE & The Empowered Core: https://balancedmomtality.com/restore  🌟 Be a Founding Member The Empowered Core is open now for a select group of women ready to grow from strong… to sovereign. 🌿 Learn more & apply: https://balancedmomtality.com/restore 🌟 Inside The Empowered Core, you’ll get: ✅ Monthly group coaching calls + mini masterclasses with Dr. Des ✅ Access to a private, high-

There's a lot of noise out there about "bouncing back" after having a baby, often centered on intense workouts and restrictive diets. Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels cuts through that clutter with a different, more sustainable approach. Hosted by Dr. Desiree Cassell, a pelvic floor physical therapist and women's health specialist, this podcast is a resource for mothers at any stage-whether you're preparing for birth, navigating the early postpartum months, or years beyond and still dealing with the lingering effects of pregnancy. The conversations here move far beyond basic Kegel exercises, diving into practical core rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, and holistic self-care strategies that fit into a real, busy life. You'll hear about functional movements that build strength without fear, ways to prepare your body for labor with confidence, and compassionate guidance for the long journey of postpartum recovery. Dr. Cassell brings her professional expertise and personal experience as a strong and fit momma to every episode, offering actionable advice that prioritizes feeling capable and healthy over adhering to punishing routines. This is a space where the complexities of the female body are honored, not rushed, providing a sense of community and grounded knowledge for anyone looking to heal and thrive through motherhood.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous System Regulation, and Holistic Self-Care for Moms
Podcast Episodes
181- You’re Not Starting Over — You’re Starting From Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
If you’ve ever felt like you keep having to “start over” with your body, your workouts, or your healing… this episode is for you. So many women feel frustrated when symptoms come back, routines fall off, or progress does…