Episode Details

“Do these 5 exercises and your baby will practically slip right out!”

“Do this every day to prevent tearing!”

“Try these moves at 37 weeks for an easier labor!”

If you've spent any time on pregnancy social media, you've probably seen videos making promises like these. And while many of the exercises being demonstrated may actually be useful for birth preparation, there's a LOT of nuance missing from a 30-second Reel.

In this solo episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, Megan — pregnancy personal trainer, prenatal fitness coach, and birth doula — is talking about social media literacy when it comes to pregnancy fitness and birth prep and why we need to be careful about confusing helpful tools with guaranteed outcomes.

Because you can do all the “right” exercises and still tear.

You can prepare your pelvic floor and still have an unexpected birth.

And if that happens, it does not mean you didn't prepare well enough or that you did something wrong.

In this episode, Megan talks about:

• Why no exercise can guarantee that you won't experience perineal tearing during birth
• The problem with “do these 5 exercises for an easier birth” messaging
• Why many popular birth prep exercises are actually valuable—even when the claims surrounding them aren't
• Why waiting until 37 weeks to start working on mobility may not give your body much time to adapt
• The benefit of incorporating intentional prenatal mobility and strength training earlier in pregnancy
• Why understanding when to use different movements and positions during early labor, active labor, and pushing matters
• How different positions may be used to support the body and baby's movement through the pelvis
• Why a social media post can rarely capture the nuance of pregnancy, pelvic floor function, labor, and birth
• How to consume pregnancy and birth content without turning every recommendation into another item on your “do everything perfectly” checklist

Ultimately, birth preparation isn't a formula.

There isn't a magical combination of stretches, pelvic floor exercises, breathing techniques, supplements, or labor positions that can guarantee you'll have the exact birth you envisioned.

That's not the point of preparing.

The goal is to spend pregnancy building strength, mobility, body awareness, pelvic floor coordination, and an understanding of your options so that you walk into labor with more tools in your toolbox.

We can't control birth. But we can prepare for it.

And if your birth doesn't unfold the way you hoped—even after doing “all the right things”—that is not evidence that you failed.

Tune in weekly for conversations about birth preparation, pregnancy workout plans, prenatal fitness, pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy, preparing for labor, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy fitness from a pregnancy personal trainer, prenatal fitness coach, birth doula, and perinatal nutritionist helping you feel Vibrantly You® through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.

Episode 57: Strength vs Stretching During Pregnancy: What Your Body Actually Needs

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutritio