OPT for pelvic health, OPTimize your Birth, OPT in

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OPT for pelvic health, OPTimize your Birth, OPT in |

Virtual Pelvic Floor & Infant Development Support

to empower your pregnancy & postpartum experience.

We Can Help.

Pregnancy

  • We can help relieve common pregnancy related conditions such as lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain like pubic symphysis dysfunction or round ligament pain, sciatica, rib pain, carpal tunnel, foot pain, or upper back/neck pain.

  • We can provide you exercises and techniques to perform ahead of birth to reduce your risk of tearing and ease your postpartum recovery.

  • Many women do not know how to push going into birth. This can lead to a greater risk of tearing and a slower labor. We can teach you how to effectively push to spare your pelvic floor and help with the progression of labor.

  • We can provide a customized exercise program for each trimester to help relieve pain, prepare your body for birth and prepare your foundational core strength for an easier postpartum recovery.

  • Contrary to popular belief, birthing on your back is not your only option. There are many alternat birthing positions that can relieve pressure on your pelvic floor to reduce risk of tearing and help with labor progression.

  • Learn what perineal massage is, why you should implement it into your routine at 34 weeks and how to do it.

Postpartum

  • From nipple and perineal pain to low back or neck pain. We can provide you various exercises, self-massage techniques and product recommendations to get you relief ASAP. We can also if you are experiencing pain with sex.

  • We can help you kickstart your postpartum recovery before your 6 week checkup to ensure you are getting a head start and preventing common postpartum issues like pain and excessive adhesions around your vaginal or cesarean scar, scar sensitivity, diastasis recti, incontinence, hemorrhoids, or prolapse.

  • We can help with all the bladder and bowel issues like leakage, vaginal or rectal heaviness, constipation, and frequent/urgent urination.

  • You can learn how to re-build your foundational pelvic floor and core strength to ensure your muscles are working properly for day to day activities like lifting your baby and before you return to sex and exercise.

  • We can provide you a gradual progression of diastasis recti (abdominal separation) core exercises and teach you pressure management strategies to both facilitate healing and prevent worsening of your separation.

  • We will help you reconnect to your muscles and help bridge the gap from where you are at to where you want to be. We can also proivde guidance around your specific exercise goals.

Infants

  • The bond between new parents and their infants takes time to cultivate. We help you foster this relationship by building your confidence as you learn what to do with your newborn and helping you implement strategies such as infant massage and handling techniques that will further your bond.

  • We specialize in advancing your littles early motor milestones: rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. Movement builds the brain and mastery of all early motor milestones lays the foundation for future cognitive development.

  • If your little does not tolerate Tummy Time, we get to the root of the issue (reflux, sensory regulation, torticollis, body tension, etc.) and then help you implement practical strategies to bolster success.

  • We walk you through a customized exercise plan to treat torticollis and optimize neck and body range of motion. Our whole body approach prevents further complications such as delayed milestone attainment, permanently tightened muscles, asymmetry in the face and skull, or scoliosis. By preventing “flat head syndrome”, aka plagiocephaly, from developing we keep your little out of a helmet!

  • Introducing solids is exciting and also nerve-racking. Our consult guides you through the process, including a screen for readiness, highchair and positioning recommendations, how to implement strategies to prevent picky eating before it starts, and how to facilitate fine motor skills for self-feeding success.

  • Each day is filled with micro opportunities to build your baby’s brain. We teach you strategies that can be implemented during wake windows, diaper changes, feedings, bath time, and your sleep routine to foster development. In addition, we guide you through the do’s and dont’s of baby toys and “container” usage.

What we Offer.

Prenatal Support

    • OPTimize Birth Course

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults

    • In Home Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for Portland, OR metro-area residents

  • Virtual 1:1 Consults

We firmly believe that every mom should have access to pelvic floor therapy both before and after birth and that every child can benefit from an individualized developmental plan – these supports are simply not built into the world we live in. We hope to bridge that gap by providing accessible support with an emphasis on prevention and holistic well-being. 

Postpartum Support

    • OPTimize Postpartum (coming soon)

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults

    • In-home Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for Portland, OR metro-area Residents

    • OPTimize Postpartum

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults

    • OPTimize Postpartum

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults

  • “OPT for Mama's OPTimize birth course was a huge game changer for me!! It gave me the resources and confidence to have a natural unmedicated birth at a hospital - although it's also a great course for mom's planning to use an epidural. The course covers the following topics: pelvic floor anatomy, Kegels, breathing techniques, exercise, phases of labor, birthing positions, pushing, creating a birthing plan, and perineal massage. I bought the course while in my second trimester, but I would recommend purchasing at the end of your first trimester and slowly going through the topics at your own pace. The exercise resource library, which I frequently referred to throughout pregnancy, provides exercises and stretches that are ideal for each trimester. My favorite topics in the course included the birthing positions and the pushing phase. In labor, I used several positions I learned about in the course, which provided amazing pain relief and gave me a sense of control over my labor. The pushing section taught me proper pushing techniques to avoid significant tearing for a faster postpartum recovery. Furthermore, you get lifetime access to the course and can text the course instructors questions! The course instructors - Amanda and Rachel - are delightful and incredibly knowledgeable woman that embody the essence of woman empowerment. I'm incredibly thankful for all the information and support I have received through the OPTimize birth course and @optformama content - without it, I know I would not have had as positive and wonderful of a birth experience!!”

    Mary H - Took OPTimize Birth

  • “It was a huge part of my birth story and helped me feel prepared and less anxious as the due date approached, particularly with labor positions and breathing techniques. I highly recommend for anyone preparing for labor or postpartum.”

    Leigh D - Took OPTimize Birth

  • “Amanda gave me such great insight that you can't get from an OB provider and touched on topics I would not have thought to look into such as perineal massage and diastasis recti. I truly felt more prepared physically, emotionally and mentally.”

    Molly R - Took OPTimize Birth

  • “Before Rachel showed me easy steps to do tummy time, my baby only tolerated a few min of tummy time once a day. After my session with her, my baby loves tummy time and can stay longer and we do it 3-4 times a day now. She also taught me stretches to relieve tense muscles to help tummy time. My baby is a happier baby now b/c we have fun during tummy time!”

    Recky - Consulted with Rachel

  • "I definitely learned new things. I appreciated that it challenged me to think critically about my mental, social, and emotional health. It's very evident that every aspect of the course was supported by experience and research." 

    Jessica A - Took OPTimize Birth

  • “Highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to prepare for birth and take preventive measures to promote pelvic floor health! I was nervous for birth because I had to be induced and I know that can increase risk of needing a c-section - but this course gave me concrete strategies to implement during labor that were effective! I couldn’t get an epidural until they had administered pitocin and I was having contractions without any breaks for 2 hours straight, so I used the labor positions in the course and it helped me manage pain and continue progressing through labor. I only pushed for 25 minutes, and my nurse commented on my pushing ability, asking if I’d seen a pelvic floor PT :) Ultimately, I was able to have a vaginal birth like I wanted and that’s really all I could ask for!”

    Dana R - Took OPTimize Birth

  • “I am so glad I did this program because I feel like it made a difference. I got an epidural although since I was progressing fast it only partially worked but that was okay because it took the harsh edge off but I could still feel the contractions and control my breathing and relax my pelvic floor. It felt very empowering. Only had to do 4 sets of pushing and he was here at 11:46pm! Post labor and delivery I feel better than I did with my first two!”

    Anna R - Took OPTimize Birth