S 3. Ep. 118: Katie Moise | Prepping Your Pelvic Floor: From Preconception to Postpartum
- Jessica Lamb
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
Taking Care of Your Pelvic Floor Through Pregnancy with Katie Moise, ATL Pelvic Health
On this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, host Jessica Lamb is joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Katie Moise, founder of ATL Pelvic Health. Katie shares her own winding path from sports rehab to pelvic health and why she’s so passionate about supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum.
What started with her own surprising pelvic floor diagnosis turned into a mission to educate and empower — long before (and after) birth. Together, Jessica and Katie dive deep into what proactive pelvic floor care looks like at every stage.
Why Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Katie’s journey began with a personal lightbulb moment: realizing that her own awkward tampon placement and hip issues were actually rooted in pelvic floor tension. This revelation, combined with her Pilates training and a PT background, sparked her shift from sports rehab to pelvic health.
She now runs a thriving practice in Atlanta focused on treating not just pregnancy and postpartum clients, but anyone struggling with symptoms related to peeing, pooping, sex, or chronic pain — things society has mistakenly labeled as "normal."
Pelvic Floor Across the Lifespan
From teen athletes who leak during cheer practice to perimenopausal women dealing with urgency or painful exams, pelvic floor dysfunction affects people far beyond pregnancy. Katie outlines the most common (but not normal) symptoms:
Painful periods or sex
Incontinence (leaking with sneezing, jumping, or running)
Constipation or urgency
Discomfort during pelvic exams or tampon use
Her clinic treats the full range — and helps clients get curious instead of ashamed about what their bodies are trying to communicate.
Preconception Prep
If you’re trying to conceive or thinking about it, now’s the time to build your foundation. Katie focuses on:
Period and ovulation health
Identifying tension vs weakness in the pelvic floor
Addressing bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction early
Why wait until you’re already carrying a baby to fix what’s not working?
First Trimester: Foundation and Function
No internal work yet, but lots of external breath and movement assessments
Build strength in glutes, hamstrings, and core to support growing body
Manage constipation from hormonal shifts (fiber, hydration, mobility)
Address bladder urgency and sleep disruptions with simple tools
Movement matters — and no, sit-ups aren’t banned. You just need guidance.
Second Trimester: Staying Strong & Managing Symptoms
As your belly grows, Katie helps clients adjust movement and support their changing posture:
Modified strength work (hands and knees, kneeling, etc.)
Core engagement techniques
Addressing common issues: pubic symphysis pain, SI joint pain, rib discomfort
Tips for round ligament pain and foot changes (yes, even plantar fasciitis!)
It’s about staying active your way — maybe yoga, maybe walking, maybe bar.
Third Trimester: Birth Prep Begins
This is where the real birth preparation starts:
Mobility exercises to open hips, pelvis, and spine
Perineal massage for tissue elasticity (with or without a partner)
Pushing practice in different positions (side-lying, hands and knees, squatting)
Breathwork strategies: open vs closed glottis, what works for you
Katie shares her own experience with an epidural, sidelying pushes, and how knowing her body made a huge difference during labor.
Postpartum: Recovery Starts Early
Even in the hospital, you can:
Use a squatty potty for early bowel movements
Stay hydrated (especially if breastfeeding)
Begin breath-to-pelvic floor reconnection with gentle cues
Katie also encourages bringing magnesium and fiber-rich snacks to support digestion — because nobody wants to white-knuckle through their first postpartum poop.
For C-Section Mamas
C-section recovery still involves pelvic floor work. Katie’s key tips:
Gentle movement (rolling to get out of bed, assisted standing)
Scar desensitization and massage once healed
Core support (maybe a wrap for the first weeks)
Pelvic floor checks — because the pregnancy still stretched and stressed those muscles
She reminds listeners that many C-section moms actually report more pain with sex than vaginal birth, making rehab just as important.
Final Thoughts
Advocate early: Find a provider in pregnancy, not six weeks postpartum
Build your care team like you build your registry
Movement is medicine — but make it personal
It’s never too early (or late) to learn about your pelvic floor
Whether you’re newly pregnant, deep in your third trimester, or navigating postpartum — this episode is a must-listen reminder that your body is not broken. With the right support, you can feel strong, connected, and ready for whatever motherhood brings next.
TL;DR
Pelvic floor therapist Katie Moise of ATL Pelvic Health breaks down what every pregnant or preconception mama should know about their pelvic floor. From building strength in the first trimester to preparing for labor with breathwork and pushing strategies, this episode is packed with tips on pain relief, movement, and setting yourself up for smoother postpartum healing.
How to connect with the guest:
IG: @atlpelvichealth
Website: atlpelvichealth.com
The Mama Making Podcast Mom podcast, Motherhood Podcast, Motherhood Journey, Postpartum Mental Health, Pregnancy, New Mom Support, pelvic floor therapy, birth preparation, pregnancy wellness, labor and delivery tips, urinary incontinence during pregnancy, c-section recovery advice, postpartum healing support, pelvic floor physical therapy, prenatal care guidance, ATL Pelvic Health
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