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2024: A Year-End Review

The beginning of 2024 started with the birth of my second son, and the re-birth of myself. Becoming a mom certainly changed me, but becoming a mom of two hit me differently (ok, now I’m crying).


My second birth was an HBAC (homebirth after cesarean section). Navigating two vastly different postpartum journeys has been one of the most humbling experiences of my wellness journey to date.


Having a c-section challenged my beliefs about my body. A part of me thought that since I was so in shape, I wouldn’t need a section. I now understand this was an incredibly naive belief. Afterwards, I felt lost. Even though I have worked with many people post-rehab and had taken a pre/postnatal course, I did not feel prepared to navigate major abdominal surgery. This resulted in me not giving myself enough recovery and rehab time initially. I believe this may have contributed to giving myself a hernia. I took the time to slow down, learn more, and attend pelvic floor PT.


Before becoming pregnant the second time, I took another intensive course. This one combined movement and a deeper understanding of pregnancy. I was also able to immediately apply some of what I was learning to my current clients, even though they were not pregnant or postpartum. It reinforced what I already knew about corrective exercise and taught me more about deep core strength, the power of breath, and changed my view of Pilates (for the better). I really loved this course.

I went into my HBAC healed from the trauma of my first birth experience and had an easy and beautiful water birth in the comfort of my home, without any pain meds, at the age of 39. I came out of that birth with less mental health trauma but still experienced a shock to the body with such a different birth. Now I had to focus even more on pelvic floor work and listening to my body. I had a better rehab plan this time around, and 10 months later I am deadlifting 150 lbs and squatting 115 lbs with no trouble and no hernia issues (I have not and do not necessarily plan to have surgery for the hernias).


What I learned the most through these experiences is that progress is certainly not linear. We all have various life events that may cause us to pause or change course. Learning to navigate these times is invaluable. You don’t have to stop; you just have to adapt, and that may not look like what you thought it would. Even as a Pilates instructor, I didn’t fully comprehend that simply utilizing your breath is a core workout.


I learned to have more patience and compassion with myself and with my clients. It is my wish that you can feel this for yourself as well. Fitness is a lifelong journey and commitment—there is no finish line. Being kinder to yourself will help you thrive over the long term.


If you are newly postpartum or simply curious about the power of your breath as it relates to your core, check out the videos linked below on 360-degree breathing and core connection breathing. You can start this as early as a day or two after giving birth (this is just to say whenever you feel ready). If you are newly postpartum, just start this while lying down in bed. As you continue to heal, you can put this breathing into practice in various positions—start seated and then move to standing, adding wall angels, sitting on a stability ball, or in all fours. If you are newly postpartum, don’t worry about a small ball or using your hand on your pelvic floor just yet; you can do this after you heal from either type of birth.



Postpartum recovery, pelvic floor, core strength, Pilates, breathwork, mindful movement, wellness journey, functional fitness, healing, motherhood

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