Join me as I talk with Sarah Fishburn, who shares her deeply personal journey through three pregnancies plagued by pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Sarah opens up about how the lack of adequate information and support during her experiences inspired her to create the Pelvic Partnership, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering women suffering from PGP. Together, we dissect the often misunderstood mechanics behind pelvic pain and emphasize the critical importance of early treatment and challenging common misconceptions.

Our discussion critiques the standard medical advice of using support belts and physiotherapy, advocating for thorough hands-on assessments and treatments. Sarah shares insights on the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach that includes muscle release and psychological support to address the mechanical dysfunctions of the pelvis for effective long-term pain management.

Discover the challenges many face when accessing manual therapy and sports physio within the NHS, and why patient advocacy is more crucial than ever. We provide practical advice on finding reputable private physiotherapists and discuss funding options for those who can’t afford private treatment. Finally, we address the profound impact of PGP on daily life, its psychological and social ramifications, and the vital need for a holistic approach to postnatal care. Sarah's story of resilience and advocacy serves as a powerful reminder that with the right support, women can reclaim their lives from the grips of pelvic pain.

Want to know more?
https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruongqOgNkg
https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PGP-Toolkit-V6.pdf
https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/
https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/pelvic-partnership-wins-prize/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613813000107?via%3Dihub

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes here https://padlet.com/WhoseShoes/TheObsPod I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and e...

Curious about how the new RSV vaccine could protect your baby? Join me, Florence, as we uncover the latest addition to the UK’s maternal vaccination program. In this episode of the OBSpod, I break down everything you need to know about the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Learn how this innovative recombinant vaccine works & why it's crucial for infants under a year old.

Expectant mothers, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in maternal and infant health will find this episode particularly enlightening. I'll guide you through the rationale behind the vaccine's introduction and its expected impact on both families and the NHS. We’ll also revisit some key points from our previous discussions on pregnancy vaccinations, offering a well-rounded perspective on this significant healthcare advancement. Tune in to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about the RSV vaccine or to confidently advise others about it.

Want to know more?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-maternal-vaccination/a-guide-to-rsv-vaccination-for-pregnant-women
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccination-programme
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-immunisation-programme-jcvi-advice-7-june-2023/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-immunisation-programme-for-infants-and-older-adults-jcvi-full-statement-11-september-2023#:~:text=JCVI%20advised%20that%20a%20RSV,and%20conclusions%20of%20the%20committee.

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes here https://padlet.com/WhoseShoes/TheObsPod I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and e...

Can dental care during pregnancy really impact your baby's health? Join me, Florence, as I crack open the myths and present the facts on this crucial yet often ignored topic. Discover why maintaining good dental hygiene is more important than ever during pregnancy, despite outdated beliefs linking gum disease to preterm birth being debunked by recent studies like the meta-analysis from Norway. We'll delve into the specifics of increased risks like gingivitis and tooth erosion, and highlight the invaluable UK's maternity exemption certificate for free dental care.

In this episode, I emphasize pregnancy as a golden opportunity to establish lifelong oral hygiene habits, benefiting both mother and child. Learn how maternity professionals can play a pivotal role in guiding expectant mothers towards essential dental services and why this conversation is vital for future generations. We also tackle the alarming rates of dental caries in young children and the regional disparities that persist, advocating for broader health discussions that could transform community health outcomes. Don't miss this enlightening episode that bridges the gap between dental care and maternity health!

Want to know more?
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/3/e018556
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2013/08/oral-health-care-during-pregnancy-and-through-the-lifespan
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health

Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth.
Keeping my podcast running without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small.
Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes here https://padlet.com/WhoseShoes/TheObsPod I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor.
If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Twitter @FWmaternity & @TheObsPod as well as Instagram @TheObsPod and e...