In this in-depth episode, Deidre sits down with Dr. Kayle Borchers, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health, to unpack one of the most overlooked foundations of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery: pelvic floor function.
Dr. Kayla shares her personal journey, from being told leaking urine as a teenage athlete was “normal,” to discovering that pelvic floor dysfunction is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. Together, they explore what the pelvic floor actually is, why Kegels are often doing more harm than good, and how breath, posture, movement, and nervous system regulation all influence pelvic health.
The conversation spans preconception care, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pain with intercourse, leakage, constipation, prolapse, and even how pelvic floor dysfunction shows up in children and men. This episode reframes pelvic health as a dynamic, whole-body system, one that deserves attention before symptoms arise, not just after.
Key Takeaways
- The pelvic floor is a dynamic system that must lengthen, contract, and coordinate, not just “tighten.”
- Why Kegels alone can worsen leakage, prolapse, pain, and dysfunction.
- How improper breathing patterns disrupt pressure management and pelvic floor function.
- Why addressing pelvic health preconception improves fertility, pregnancy comfort, birth outcomes, and postpartum recovery.
- The role of nervous system regulation, stress, and exercise intensity in fertility and miscarriage risk.
- Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction in women, men, and children including constipation, bedwetting, pain, and leakage.
Timestamps
- 00:00 – Introduction & why pelvic health is overlooked
- 01:00 – Dr. Kayla’s story: athletics, leakage, and being told it was “normal”
- 04:00 – What the pelvic floor actually is (and why it’s more than Kegels)
- 08:30 – Breathing, pressure management, and why most people breathe incorrectly
- 12:00 – Pelvic floor therapy in preconception care
- 15:00 – Stress, nervous system regulation, and fertility
- 18:30 – Why Kegels can worsen symptoms
- 24:00 – Pain with tampons, intercourse, and tight pelvic floors
- 27:30 – Sedentary lifestyles, movement, and pelvic dysfunction
- 31:00 – Postpartum expectations & when to seek pelvic floor support
- 37:00 – Pelvic floor issues in children and men
- 42:30 – How to work with Dr. Kayla Borchers
If this conversation opened your eyes to how pelvic health, movement, and nervous system regulation impact fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery, we encourage you to keep going.
👉 Learn more about Dr. Kayla Borchers and explore her pelvic floor therapy services, virtual care, and holistic programs designed to support the body before, during, and after pregnancy and follow here at @drkaylaborchers
👉 And to kick-start your preconception care at any stage, download our Understanding Your Bloodwork Guide. This free resource will help you make sense of key fertility markers, identify gaps that are often overlooked, and begin building a strong foundation for conception, pregnancy, and long-term health.
Whether you’re just starting to think about pregnancy or actively trying to conceive, these two resources together give you powerful insight into how your body is functioning and where support can make the biggest difference.
➡️ Follow along on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deidrebloomquist for more education
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to a be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician for medical advice. We always recommend working with a trained practitioner if you would like to do any testing and/or commence any protocols.
