The Follow-Up: Strength Training While Pregnant

The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

Dr. Mona Amin

Medicine, Kids & Family, Health & Fitness, Parenting

4.9 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 1 June 2026

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Strength training in pregnancy can feel confusing with so much mixed advice online. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Amy Kiefer and Krystle Holland of Expecting and Empowered to talk about how movement can support your body during pregnancy, prepare you for postpartum recovery, and help with the real physical demands of motherhood. We also cover warning signs to watch for after birth, why returning to exercise too quickly can backfire, and how to think about strength in a way that supports healing, not pressure. This episode is a helpful listen for anyone who wants a more practical, realistic approach to movement during and after pregnancy. In this episode, we cover: Why strength training can support the body during pregnancy How movement may help reduce common pregnancy aches and pains The connection between prenatal fitness and postpartum recovery Why mobility and pelvic floor function both matter before labor What to know about exercise clearance during pregnancy and postpartum Warning signs like leaking, pelvic pressure, or increased bleeding Why a slow return to activity matters after birth How pelvic floor therapy can support recovery The physical demands of motherhood and functional strength Letting go of bounce-back pressure and focusing on long-term health Want more? Listen to the full, original episode. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:22.0	Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.
0:24.5	Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:29.8	Welcome back to the show.
0:31.2	You are listening to the follow-up series on the Pete's Doc Talk podcast,
0:34.5	where I revisit a favorite conversation of the show in less time
0:40.8	than it takes to wonder if your pelvic floor can handle lifting the stroller, the car seat,
0:45.0	and the diaper bag all at once. On this show, I welcome guests to chat about parenting and
0:49.4	parental health, especially maternal, physical, and mental health, because taking care of ourselves
0:54.0	is just as important as taking care of our children.
0:57.5	And I'm re-airing this episode because strength training has truly changed my life.
1:03.1	After having two kids, my body went through a lot.
1:06.9	I had five surgeries in total, two C-sections, two additional abdominal surgeries one week after each delivery due to complications, and later the removal of a fallopian tube.
1:17.8	My abdomen and pelvic floor went through a lot, and for a while, I honestly did not feel like myself physically.
1:24.6	What helped me rebuild was pelvic floor therapy first. Shout out to all of the
1:29.0	amazing pelvic floor therapists and then moving into strength and functional fitness. That combination
1:35.2	is what helped me regain stability, strength, and confidence in my body again. Huge shout out to
1:41.1	my trainer, Caleb of Wingman Training in Fort Lauderdale. This is not sponsored, but he has changed my life.
1:46.6	Thank you for helping guide me through this process.
	...

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