Kelly Trapp
I was referred to pelvic floor PT during my second pregnancy due to ongoing issues caused in part by a traumatic first birth. I had also switched OB clinics because I was desperate for a different experience. Fortunately, I got one! Jess was an absolute lifesaver! She worked with me in clinic and provided additional online resources (check out her other site That Pelvic Lady!) to both help me recover my previous trauma, while also preparing for childbirth again. I was terrified to give birth again, assuming that the issues from the first would only be exacerbated by doing it again. I experienced pretty significant PPD and PPA after my first child was born, largely related to the traumatic delivery and ongoing issues I experienced in the years after. Both of my children have >99th percentile head circumferences. My first required a vacuum assisted delivery, resulting in injury to me. I also dealt with years of recurrent anal fissures and hemorrhoids during and after my first pregnancy. When I first met Jess, I was pregnant with my second and miserable with fissures and an active hemorrhoid. I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to deliver my son without more trauma to my body. My second birth experience could not have been more different than the first! It was so calm and empowered because I had the tools and knowledge to labor safely, in a way that I felt confident would protect my pelvic floor and my baby. When I was admitted to the hospital, I knew to ask the nurses right away for a yoga ball and a peanut ball which I used throughout my labor. I knew how to position my body throughout the phases of labor to help baby move through safely. It was important to me to have an epidural for pain management. Jess gave me strategies for laboring with an epidural that didn’t just have me flat on my back/allowed me to move! I truly believe it was these movements that helped my labor progress quickly and safely. My second, despite having an even bigger head and being almost 9 lbs at birth, was born vaginally with only a very minor superficial tear. I pushed for less than 10 minutes! After he was born, I had minimal pain and felt that my body recovered very quickly. In fact, I feel that my body now is closer to my pre-baby body because of the tools Jess gave me. I will be forever grateful for Jess’ dedication to my health, both physical and mental. She is one of the biggest reasons that I no longer have fear and traumatic thoughts when thinking of the birth of my children. Thank you, Jess!
