Strength Training, Pregnancy, & Pelvic Health with Becky Maidansky | Stronger Is Better Podcast #7

In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most under appreciated tools in women’s health. This conversation bridges the gap between medical rehab and high-performance coaching—essential listening for strength coaches, pregnant athletes, and anyone working with women in the gym.

Ladybird Physical Therapy: https://www.ladybirdpt.com/

00:00 - Intro & how Becky got involved with Starting Strength Austin
01:15 - Lifting workshop recap & Becky’s team background
03:27 - What is pelvic health PT?
05:04 - Why Becky started Lady Bird PT
07:12 - Pregnancy isn’t a problem to manage—training is essential
10:00 - Medical conservatism, strength, and female physiology
13:23 - Training during pregnancy: Becky’s and Nick’s coaching experience
16:36 - What guidelines should lifters follow?
20:20 - What symptoms matter and how to respond
22:55 - Exercise modifications & movement adjustments
24:58 - The role of energy availability during pregnancy
26:07 - Postpartum recovery: timelines and expectations
29:54 - Real-world coaching after pregnancy
32:03 - Strength persists post-pregnancy
34:12 - Weighing health vs. aesthetic goals postpartum
35:16 - Strength training protects pelvic health
37:24 - Stress incontinence: how coaches should think about it
41:08 - Common causes & symptoms
44:25 - What coaches can ask—and what’s in their scope
46:35 - How and when to modify training for stress incontinence
51:18 - Proper Valsalva vs. bearing down
54:03 - Practical breathing cues to reduce pelvic stress
55:35 - Do Kegels work? It depends
59:18 - Are there standard pelvic floor strengthening protocols?
1:00:52 - When to refer out to pelvic PT
1:03:42 - Understanding prolapse & how to respond
1:07:28 - What is a pessary and who might benefit from one?
1:08:29 - How to contact Dr. Becky Maidansky

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