His and Her Health

My name is Amy Stein, and I am a physical therapist that writes quite a bit on this site, as well as contributes articles on women's health, pelvic floor pain and weakness issues. I am about to have baby #2, (Feb 8, 2010) and am definitely anxious about the balance: BAby #1, work, husband, life, sex, etc! I own a PT practice in NY, NY that specializes in women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction. Fortunately, the practice is doing well, but managing 10 employees is more than a full time job. Having a 17 mo old is also a full time job. Fortunately, he is a very easy kid (so far), and my husband is very supportive. Exercise has slowed but I am still trying during the home stretch...and sex...also slowed, but is still good!

I also have a strong passion for what I do, and if any one has any questions about pelvic floor or women's health issues, please ask! If you have advice on life's balances, please comment!! The count down begins!

Let's start with the sex....it feels good (from the increased blood flow to the area), but I have no energy to even engage. It takes all my effort and has to happen in the afternoon, bc at night...forget it! Plus, I just don't feel sexy anymore! I developed varicose veins with this one...lovely..I hope they go away after delivery. speaking of delivery...13 days away. My gyn and my friend, Andrew Goldstein, suggested that I have a c-section again, b/c of the complications that I had with the first one: bascially NOTHING happened. They tried to induce and I had off the scale contractions, but my cevix swelled and my little man just couldn't find his way out. I have a very narrow pelvis, and my OB said that this will most likely happen again. But, what did it for me, was when the babies heart rate dropped and wouldn't go back up for a while, until they stuck a needle in his head. After that I said "it is just not worth it for me. and my husband agreed!

Feeling uncomfortable, can't breathe well. exercise is almost at a complete halt; although we got new Pilates equipment in our office and the other PT's have been getting me to use it. it is great when I do it...finding the time and energy is another issue.

I tried to attach a photo of my little man...not sure if it worked. signing off for now

The last couple days/weeks are the toughest. Not sleeping well, can't breathe, no position is comfortable, etc. I had moderate pubic symphisis pain with my first pregnancy, the last month. I have had it for longer this time and exercising and walking have unfortunately, made it worse. So I am just sticking to upper body exercises and some bilateral isometric exercises for my legs. This and seeing some of my PT collegues seems to keep the pubic pain under control. After delivery, i plan to use an SI belt and do a lot of core stabilization exercises. Recently we got new Pilates equipment in our office and I have been using that as well, which feels SO good to be able to do something. I plan to continue afterwards, once my 2 babies are stable and I can leave my home

I recently developed a bad cold as well, so that has thrown a monkey wrench into everything. Just hoping for a happy and healthy baby! next update, will be post baby!! Keep toned in

A baby girl was born on Friday, Feb 5th, Zoe Raquel. 6llb 14oz and 19 1/4 inches long, and all is well. Healthy, adorable and HUNGRY! I had a c-section and she couldn't wait until my breast milk came in, so we had to supplement. With my first, he was able to wait the 4 days, and he only got cranky the last day. NOT with this one...she couldn't wait 24 hours. And, I was planning on breastfeeding only. Now, we are bresatfeeding only during the day and bresatfeeding and giving a little extra formula at night, and so far, she is sleeping 4-4 1/2 hours stretches at night, so we decided to continue on this route.

As my 17 month old boy...at first he was fascinated and just kept saying, "BABY, BABY". Now, he is starting to realize that 'baby' is here to stay, and showing some signs of jealousy. Not bad, YET??

As for the c-section. I was more present at this one, bc we planned it...my OB said that what happened before will happen again. Basically NOTHING happened, even after they induced me, except exhaustion from 15 hours of intense labor, a swollen cervix and the babies heart dropping!! This time I decided that the I couldn't go through the babies heart dropping and we planned FEb 5th. The aftermath has been pretty similar though...3 days of moderate to severe pain, and gradually each day has gotten better. I can finally stand up straight. My scar is not healing well, so the doc said to REALLY take it easy for another week. I tried walking 10 short NY blocks (to take Zoe to her first MD visit)....that didn't go so well. So I am home bound for another week.

OK..feeding time! Will give another update soon! Hang in there NEW mothers out there

Congratulations Amy to you and your baby Zoe. We hope other Moms will join in and add their own blogs or respond to yours.

Thank you for the warm wishes! All is well so far !

We need to add a tired smiley face to the blog. Baby zoe is now 1 month old, and eating like a champ. She definitely is more vocal than her 18 month old brother is and was. She REALLY let's you know when she is unhappy and she has a difficult time getting to sleep. as a result, sleep deprivation has kicked in.

The c-section scar did not heal as well as I would have liked, but I am now on the mend. I was not permitted to exercise or do anything physical until last week. So I layed low, and tried my best not to pick up my 25 lb son. Now, I am back to walking 30 minutes every other day, with baby Zoe is tow...she loves the motion!! I did suffer from a moderately 'bad' diastsis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles) which makes your core weaker, because your abs are not as strong. I am wearing a abdominal binder to help correct the separation, which also helps with back pain, bc it helps support the core more. I also have started abdominal correction exercises, which you can read in my book--the chapter on pregnancy: Heal Pelvic Pain (www.healpelvicpain.com). Once I do the abdominal exercises for about 3-4 weeks on my own, then I plan to see the physical therapist in my office who specializes in Pilates Rehab for pre-natal/post-partum and pelvic pain patients. She is going to advance my abdominal exercises, WITHOUT making the separation worse...bc you CAN make it worse. She recently wrote a Pilates article for our newsletter, which you can find on our website: www.beyondbasicsphysicaltherapy.com I also tried to attach it to the site, so hopefully it worked!!! So far my ab exercises have been going well. And, I feel very lucky bc I am already back to my pre-pregnancy weight, thanks to my son who just learned how to run!!! And, also thanks to the breastfeeding.

Other news: i was recently contacted by the Dr. Oz show, and they inquired about vaginismus, and how a PT can help with this muscular problem. I spent quite a bit of time talking with them about how successful PT is for this problem. I will keep you posted with what happens.

Ok...time to sleep while i have the chance.