Advertise on podcast: The Barbell Mamas Podcast | Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pelvic Health

Ever feel like every scroll brings a new rule for your body? We sit down with Dr. Emily Fender, a health communication scientist whose research tracks how women’s health messages spread across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube—and why the loudest claims aren’t always the most useful. Together, we break down a simple lens you can use anywhere online: threat versus efficacy. Are you being scared into attention, or actually given steps and resources to act? That distinction shows up in everything from contraception myths to perinatal mental health, where severity gets clicks but supportive guidance often goes missing. We dig into cycle syncing and the difference between evidence, overreach, and personalized training. You’ll hear why rigid phase-based rules can backfire, creating shame and cost barriers, and how athletes worry these narratives label women as fragile for half the month. We zoom out to the bigger system: incentives that reward certainty, influencer marketing that sells protocols, and even expertise drift when clinicians post outside their lane. Then we get practical about risk communication—turning relative risk into absolute numbers, spotting absolute statements, and demanding receipts when someone says “studies show.” We also scout the horizon with AI. Some tools can surface studies and highlight exact evidence, but they can’t replace synthesis or context. Deepfakes and confident summaries raise the bar for skepticism, so we share a quick checklist to stress test posts before you share or act: scope, sources, statistics, and a simple “does this make sense” pass. Use social media for community, discovery, and momentum—then ground your choices in evidence, your values, and your lived experience. If you’ve been craving fewer rules and more clarity, this conversation offers a calmer, smarter way to navigate women’s health online. Subscribe, share with a friend who lifts, and leave a review to tell us the one claim you want decoded next. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Trying to conceive while training hard can feel like you’re being asked to choose between your identity and your goals. We go straight at the myth that vigorous exercise is the enemy of fertility and show where the real culprit often hides: low energy availability that disrupts hormones and stalls ovulation. Through clear explanations and practical examples, we map the J-shaped curve between activity and conception, highlight the gaps in vigorous-intensity research, and explain why fueling—not fewer workouts—frequently makes the difference. We start with cycle literacy: how to confirm you’re actually ovulating, why 28 days is only an average, and what to do when your calendar method isn’t enough. From there, we dig into medical causes of irregular cycles like PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids, and we broaden the lens to include male fertility—reminding you that 30 to 50 percent of fertility challenges involve male factors, with sperm quality changing over about 12 weeks. On the lifestyle side, we connect exercise, sleep, stress regulation, and the Mediterranean diet to insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation, setting a stronger foundation for conception. The heart of the conversation focuses on REDs and underfueling in high-volume training. We unpack how low energy availability blunts estrogen, prevents the LH surge, and leads to anovulatory cycles, then share why a nutrition-first strategy should precede cutting workouts. The Refuel study offers encouraging evidence: maintaining training while increasing intake helped restore cycles, with realistic expectations around a modest weight gain and a recovery timeline that lengthens the longer a cycle has been absent. We close with guidance you can use today—loop in a sports-savvy registered dietitian, protect your sleep, build stress tools before you’re overwhelmed, and treat your menstrual cycle as actionable data. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a friend who trains, and leave a review so more active women can find evidence-based fertility support. Your body can be strong, well-fed, and ready to conceive—let’s get you there together. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Leaks under a heavy deadlift, pressure during a ruck, or a sudden urge mid-sprint can derail training—and confidence. We go straight at the myths and mechanics behind pelvic floor symptoms in athletes and service members, unpacking how high load, high speed, and high fatigue interact with hormones, recovery, and technique. Christina Prebbitt, pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher, shares a candid journey from national-level weightlifter to clinician advocating for stronger, smarter training through pregnancy and postpartum. We break down the pelvic floor’s role in continence, sexual function, and trunk stability, then connect it to real-world demands: impact landings, belts and bracing, long days with limited sanitation, heavy kits, and sleep debt. You’ll learn the difference between weakness, poor coordination, and high tone—and why each needs a different plan. Expect clear cues for bracing without bearing down, practical positions to reduce tension, and evidence-backed strategies to raise thresholds without pushing through symptoms. We also confront stigma and silence, outlining simple referral questions and a trauma-informed lens that respects lived experiences across the force. On pregnancy and postpartum, we replace fear-based rules with individualized progressions. New research on women who kept lifting heavy shows lower complication rates and no “exercise triggers labor” effect, while Canada’s new postpartum guidelines endorse early return to activity based on symptoms and goals. Translation: no more blanket bans—coach mechanics, watch thresholds, and build capacity. If moderate to vigorous training flares leaks or pressure, get a pelvic PT screen; otherwise, movement is medicine for body and mood. Subscribe for science you can use, share this with a teammate or coach who needs better cues, and leave a review with the one training change you’ll make this week. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

The New Year avalanche of challenges and “perfect morning routines” can feel brutal when you’re sleep-deprived, healing, and parenting on a hair trigger. We take a kinder path for pregnant and postpartum athletes and active moms: small, repeatable wins that respect your season while still building real momentum. I share the mindset shifts that changed everything for me and for the moms I treat: why the 60-minute rule is a myth, how to turn exercise snacks into a powerful training tool, and simple ways to stack habits onto the rhythms you already have. You’ll learn zero-equipment Tabata ideas, mobility flows you can do on the floor next to your baby, and clever strategies for moving with your kids—stroller walks as resisted walking, park bench strength, and kid-friendly videos that turn chaos into connection. We also protect the brain. Five minutes before bed to downshift beats doom-scrolling every time, so we explore practical boundaries for social media and quick mindfulness swaps that improve sleep and patience the next day. Throughout, we keep comparison in check and honor the reality of seasons: training with little kids won’t be optimal, but it can be consistent, confidence-building, and enough to move you forward. If you’re ready to trade all-or-nothing for steady progress, try the “Mom 75” approach: two five-minute checkmarks—one for body, one for mind—most days. Then add more when life allows. Subscribe for more evidence-informed guidance, share this with a mom who needs a gentle reset, and tell us: what’s your five-minute win this week? ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

New years can feel loud and demanding, especially when you’re juggling motherhood, training, and a nervous system running hot. We’re choosing a different path: intentions over resolutions, performance over punishment, presence over perfection. In this candid reflection, we map out eight intentions for 2026 that help active moms and pregnant or postpartum athletes build progress that lasts. You’ll hear why performance goals—like running a half marathon, nailing five push-ups, or squatting consistently—often bring the body composition changes people chase, without the shame spiral tied to a scale. We also flip the diet script from restriction to addition. Think Mediterranean-inspired meals, more fiber, and simple upgrades that improve satiety and gut health. No moralizing food, just practical ways to nourish busy bodies. To make changes stick, we lean on habit stacking and micro-adjustments—prepping coffee at night, waking five minutes earlier each week, and pairing new routines with ones that already exist. It’s a gentler approach that still builds serious momentum. Stress and grief don’t wait for our calendars, so we prioritize mental health and nervous system care with 10-minute mindfulness, a couple of yoga sessions around the kids, and breathable moments in the middle of hectic days. We talk about expecting setbacks, acknowledging hard seasons, and redefining success as showing up for the smallest possible step when life hits. Finally, we invite you to choose a word for the year—your compass when plans get loud. Ours is calm: steady, consistent, and sustainable. If this resonates, follow along for more conversations on training through pregnancy and postpartum, pelvic health, and performance. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs permission to slow down, and leave a review with your word for 2026 so we can cheer you on. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

What if the advice you’ve been handed about training through pregnancy and after birth is more fear than fact? We close out a bruising year with honesty about grief, miscarriage, and the quiet ways movement held us together—then channel that hard-won clarity into a smarter 2026 playbook for active moms and moms-to-be. We unpack culture shifts that finally stuck: pregnant lifters drawing fewer trolls, more families sharing pregnancy loss without shame, and a growing acceptance that early postpartum movement can be both safe and sanity-saving when guided by symptoms. We spotlight 2025 research milestones—high weekly intensity minutes, low energy availability before conception, and new postpartum return-to-exercise guidance that removed unnecessary “clearance” barriers—plus policy wins like ranking protection during IVF and public funding pathways for pregnant and postpartum athletes. From there, we get specific about what needs to change. The safe versus unsafe binary flattens complex realities and breeds self-blame when injuries or pelvic floor symptoms appear. We argue for individualized planning that considers training history, load tolerance, sleep, stress, and support, and we call for better data on what modifications actually do: running volume, valsalva, supine work, core progressions, and impact. Early postpartum reconditioning isn’t a badge of toughness; it’s a practical path to mood support, capacity building, and confidence—especially where leave is limited. If you’re ready to trade fear for nuance, and absolutes for agency, this conversation is your map. Listen, share with a friend who needs permission to move their way, and help us build the research and community that mothers deserve. Subscribe, leave a review with your biggest training question for 2026, and tell us what you want to hear next. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

The loudest voices on the internet say “don’t lift heavy when you’re pregnant.” We say: let’s look at what the body does, what the research shows, and how to train with confidence. Christina Previtt, pelvic floor physical therapist, researcher, and mom of two, unpacks three persistent myths—weight caps, benching on your back, and never holding your breath—and replaces them with clear, symptom-led guidance that respects both performance and pregnancy. We start by clarifying the landscape: strength training is not one thing. Powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, and CrossFit all stress the body differently, and pregnancy asks you to meet those demands with smart adjustments. Christina walks through new data from hundreds of recreational lifters training above 85% of their one-rep max and explains why the old 20 to 30 pound rule came from a lack of data, not evidence of harm. She also breaks down supine hypotensive syndrome, how to spot symptoms like dizziness or nausea, and simple fixes like using an incline for pressing so you can keep the bar moving safely. Breath is the other lightning rod. The valsalva maneuver increases stability and load capacity, and recent studies show no adverse fetal effects during short efforts. Christina shares when exhaling on exertion can reduce pelvic floor strain, how to decide between strategies based on symptoms and goals, and why birth prep means practicing the opposite of max bracing. If you’re great at holding tension, you’ll benefit from learning to let go—especially in late-stage labor when pelvic floor relaxation matters most. This conversation is built for lifters, coaches, clinicians, and curious partners who want evidence, not fear. You’ll leave with practical benchmarks to scale effort, scripts to collaborate with your provider, and a mindset shift: adjust your strategy, not your identity. Subscribe, share with a training partner, and leave a review to help more strong parents find real guidance. What myth should we tackle next? ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

What if the six-week postpartum rule is more tradition than science? We take you inside a smarter, kinder approach to early recovery—one that blends evidence with real life so you can move your body sooner, safely, and with confidence. Christina shares the research on moderate activity at two to three weeks postpartum, explains why vigorous intensity may be too much for healing tissues, and lays out clear “navigational buoys” that turn the vague advice to “listen to your body” into specific, actionable signals. You’ll learn why strict bed rest doesn’t align with modern rehab principles and how early, tolerable movement can reduce complications and lift your mood. We walk through low-strain exercises that fit busy days—supine core work, side-lying strength, seated upper-body moves—and show how to scale modified planks and gentle isometrics to rebuild pressure control without flare-ups. For lifters, Christina explains when an empty bar might be appropriate, how to progress with tiny plates, and which pelvic floor sensations are normal versus signs to slow down. We also talk about cesarean considerations, scar feedback, and how to set expectations during the fourth trimester. This conversation acknowledges the realities of limited parental leave and the mental load of new motherhood. Instead of fear, we offer a framework that respects your timeline, your delivery, and your goals—whether that’s walking with ease, returning to CrossFit, or carrying a toddler without symptoms. If you’re ready to replace one-size-fits-all rules with practical steps rooted in pelvic floor health, strength training, and gradual exposure, you’ll leave with a plan and renewed trust in your body. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who lifts, and leave a review to support more evidence-based guidance for active moms. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Most advice about training through pregnancy and postpartum gets boiled down to catchy lines that spark more fear than clarity. We take those mantras head-on and replace them with something better: a body readiness approach that respects training age, context, and real signals your body sends while it adapts. We start by unpacking “just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” a phrase that often implies harm without data. Instead of blanket restrictions on running, lifting, or core work, we walk through how exposure, technique, and smart progression drive safe adaptation as your body changes. You’ll hear how fitness history matters—the seasoned runner and the veteran weightlifter typically tolerate their sports differently than beginners—and why that matters for volume, range, and intensity choices during each trimester. From there, we tackle “if you were doing it before pregnancy, you can keep doing it” and add the nuance most advice forgets. We outline what to watch for—bleeding, persistent heaviness, leaking at new thresholds—and how to respond by adjusting load, bracing strategy, tempo, or movement selection rather than quitting what you love. In the postpartum chapter, we contrast contraindications with screening cues, share practical examples of titrating impact and strength, and explain why “listen to your body” works only when you know which signals deserve a deload and which improve with progressive training. If you’re an active parent, coach, or clinician seeking clear, compassionate guidance that preserves performance and confidence, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who lifts or runs, and leave a review to tell us the biggest myth you want us to debunk next. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Stop earning your workout. We make the case that exercise is the tool for healing during pregnancy and postpartum, not a prize you unlock after perfect recovery. From lifting to running, we unpack how smart, scaled training can reduce pelvic symptoms, rebuild capacity, and restore confidence without waiting on arbitrary timelines. We dig into the cultural and clinical biases that shape advice for mothers. Many pelvic health providers and coaches arrive in the field through their own birth stories—powerful experiences that can quietly nudge recommendations toward unnecessary restriction or rushed progression. We ask the hard question: is a “no” grounded in evidence, or in someone else’s fear? Along the way, we outline simple, criteria-based ways to progress load, manage impact, and modify before you stop, so movement remains a bridge instead of a barrier. Education is the missing piece. Early postpartum physiology often includes shifting support of the vaginal walls, a lower cervix, and changes in abdominal tension—surprising, but frequently normal. We explain why labels like diastasis recti or pelvic organ prolapse may be overapplied in the earliest weeks and how moving diagnostic buoys toward clinical relevance protects mothers from stigma while still honoring symptoms. Rather than clinging to unproven rules like a universal 12-week return-to-run, we champion readiness markers, symptom-guided programming, and five to ten minute sessions that actually fit a new parent’s life. If you’re ready to replace fear with capacity and confusion with clarity, this conversation will give you tools to train through change. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help more moms find evidence-informed, empowering care. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

What if the “wait six weeks” rule after a C-section is holding you back more than it’s keeping you safe? We unpack a smarter, kinder approach to recovery that treats movement like medicine—careful, progressive, and tailored to your body and your birth story. We start by confronting a hard truth: post-cesarean recovery is wildly variable. Some moms coast, others struggle, and most get blanket restrictions that ignore physiology and context. Drawing on clinical experience and current research, we explain how early, appropriate movement can reduce complications, calm inflammation, and help scar tissue remodel with purpose. You’ll hear why gentle walking on the ward lowers DVT risk, how stacked posture protects the incision, and which core drills build stability without tugging on healing tissue. Then we map a practical framework you can adapt with your care team. Around week two, focus on breath-led bracing, diaphragmatic control, dead bug and bird dog progressions, light pallof presses, and short EMOMs or Tabatas that fit newborn life. By weeks four to five, many can reintroduce neutral-position strength—kettlebell deadlifts, goblet squats, and light barbell work—while watching for pain, swelling, or bleeding changes. At six weeks, we test careful spinal motion: gentle hanging, small beat swings, yoga Sphinx and controlled extensions, advancing only if symptoms stay quiet. Throughout, we emphasize changing one variable at a time and honoring fatigue from blood loss and sleep. This is a call to replace fear with informed freedom. We center emotional recovery, validate traumatic birth experiences, and offer clear red flags and green lights so you can move with confidence. Whether you’re a barbell lover or a brisk walker, you’ll leave with a step-by-step path to rebuild strength safely and reclaim your routine. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with the one restriction you’d love to see rewritten. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

The first sprint after birth can feel like your body forgot the map. We get honest about that moment, then build a smarter route back to running, lifting, and sport with real tools you can use today. We start with the emotional shock of early returns: missing your old speed, feeling awkward under a bar, and wondering where your core strength went. From there, we lay down clear buoys—simple checkpoints that guide when to push, when to hold, and how to pivot without fear. For CrossFit athletes, we map a practical path from 2–3 weeks of breath, bracing, and light circuits to 4–6 week barbell reintros, low-impact metcons, and gradual intensity in just one or two domains. Expect specific weights, movement options, and what “normal” feels like when grip and shoulders wake back up. Strength timelines get real too. Many dedicated lifters hit 85–95% of pre-pregnancy numbers by nine to ten months, with sleep, fueling, and nursing shaping the curve. Then we tackle running head-on, cutting through scary anecdotes with what the evidence actually supports: a personalized, symptom-led return. You’ll get a time-based interval template (not mileage), how to check for leakage, heaviness, or rebound soreness, and the three strength staples every runner needs—staggered-stance deadlifts, loaded lunges, and resisted lateral work—to improve impact tolerance and reduce shin and knee issues. Throughout, we tie in pelvic floor nuance, delivery factors, and why stories of prolapse don’t prove running “too early” caused it. We talk fueling, community, and mindset, because performance after birth isn’t just physical—it’s logistical and emotional. If you’ve been waiting for permission to move on your terms, with data and compassion, this is your map. If this helped you build your plan, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s returning to sport, and leave a quick review so more moms find evidence without the fear. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Think you “caused” your diastasis by breathing wrong or lifting heavy? Let’s retire the blame. We dig into what the research actually says about diastasis recti, core tension, and the real impact of progressive strength training after birth. No magic fixes, no fear-mongering—just practical steps to feel stronger, lift smarter, and trust your body again. We also unpack the hormonal rollercoaster of early postpartum. Low estrogen can look like perimenopause: night sweats, dryness, joint aches, even a higher risk of frozen shoulder. Your period might return at six weeks or nine months and still be normal. And yes, surprise pregnancies can happen while nursing. We explain how cycles, prolactin, and training interact so you can make informed choices without anxiety driving the bus. For athletes eyeing a comeback—powerlifters, runners, hybrid competitors—we map a realistic path back to the platform. Skip the crash cuts and rigid weight classes while you’re fueling recovery. Build capacity with tempo work, bracing, and pelvic floor coordination, then add load with patience. We also tackle prolapse with clarity: how to read symptoms, where a pessary fits, what conservative care can achieve, and when surgery is a valid route. Stronger before surgery often means better after, and smarter mechanics beat blanket lifting restrictions every time. If you’re tired of conflicting advice and want evidence, empathy, and actionable plans, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s navigating postpartum training, and leave a review telling us the myth you most want debunked next. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

A wave of excitement hit social media over a perimenopause hormone therapy “study” that hadn’t even cleared peer review. We pull back the curtain on how posters at medical conferences actually work, why methods and nuance matter, and how hype from massive accounts can eclipse the careful voices of the researchers themselves. It’s a candid look at women’s health misinformation, how it spreads, and why long-form conversations offer a better path to clarity. From there, we dive into real questions from active moms. What explains breathlessness and fatigue at just eight weeks when your body looks the same? How do you navigate the identity whiplash of being an athlete who suddenly feels slower, quieter, and less recovered? We share practical ways to stay consistent, lean on community, and reframe expectations without losing performance completely. You’ll learn how to assess lower abdominal soreness after toes-to-bar, when a hip flexor or lower abdominal strain is the likely culprit, and when anxiety or ectopic history means it’s time to see a clinician. We map out first-trimester strength work in clear terms: three focused full-body days, two to four sets per lift, rep ranges that respect energy, and simple progressions—add a rep, add a little load, or add a set as recovery allows. Instead of defaulting to scaling everything, we push for a progression mindset and modify only when your body asks. On pelvic girdle pain and sciatica, we compare slimmer pelvic belts like the Serola with fuller supports, explain who benefits most, and pair any device with targeted hip and trunk strengthening. We also spotlight a missing piece in the literature: how pre-pregnancy injury history shapes pain during pregnancy, and what that means for prevention. If you’re an active mom, coach, or clinician who values evidence with empathy, this conversation gives you tools you can use today—plus the context to spot hype before it takes root. Subscribe, share with a friend who trains, and leave a quick review to help more women find trustworthy guidance. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Conflicting rules about pregnancy exercise can make even seasoned athletes second-guess their training. We cut through the noise with a practical framework that honors your history, your symptoms, and your goals—so you can keep moving with confidence. Christina Previtt, pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher, digs into why guidance still conflicts, what the latest research actually supports, and how to use simple guardrails to make smart decisions in real time. We break down the 150-minutes-plus-strength target, why “some” beats “none” at every step, and how to think about intensity when heart rate naturally runs higher during pregnancy. Runners get a deep dive on comfort strategies: strength training to reduce pelvic floor dysfunction risk, SI belts and compression to offload the pelvis and abdominal wall, and internal bladder supports like Impressa or Uresta for urethral hypermobility. If you’ve been told “don’t lift” or “no squats,” you’ll hear a clearer path: pick movements you can breathe through, brace without pain, and recover from within 24 to 48 hours, and modify when symptoms speak up. We also reframe diastasis recti. A two-finger gap is often below clinical concern, the linea alba will lengthen to make room for baby, and targeted core work is not off-limits. Learn which exercises actually train the abdominal wall, how to scale without bulging or pain, and why capacity matters more than chasing closure during pregnancy. By the end, you’ll have a steady set of cues, tools, and options to tailor running, lifting, and daily activity across trimesters—without fear or guesswork. If this Q&A style hits home, tap follow, share with a friend who’s training through pregnancy, and leave a quick review with your top question for part two. Your feedback shapes the next round of topics and helps more active moms find evidence they can use. ___________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!