01/12/2025
My first strong memory of pelvic health problems occurred at age 14, when I experienced urinary incontinence on holiday - I was mortified!
In 2000 I had an emergency C-section for the birth of my first amazing son. It was a difficult, painful and unsupported traumatic experience. My concerns about the surgery were not validated and I carried my trauma for many years, almost robbing me of another baby.
In 2004 I gave birth to my second wonderful baby. I was so pleased to have managed a VBAC delivery, but little did I know the damage that delivery had caused.
Increasingly over the years there were difficulties with stress urinary incontinence and problems opening my bowels.
It took 10 years before summoning enough courage to visit my GP, to be diagnosed with a prolapse.
A referral was made to see a consultant. Sadly she was not very supportive, down played my symptoms and invalidated my experience. If it weren’t for the amazing specialist nurse I would have left that appointment in tears and not returned.
Fortunately she made sure I was transferred to a different consultant who was extremely supportive and booked me for surgical repair.
It transpired that my problems were worse than first thought. A third degree tear from child birth was repaired, the prolapse was made good and a TVT procedure was carried out.
It was a tough surgery but after recovery my quality of life improved.
I remember telling any one who would listen how important it was to seek help. No one should struggle with incontinence.
Then a year later the TVT failed. It was repaired and failed again.
Broken body parts unable to be fixed!
And so I have lived with it, until things started to get worse again.
We now have complex mesh centres (TVT is mesh) and I’m awaiting assessment next year.
Well done if you’ve read this far!!!!
The reason for telling this story, which appears very matter of fact, but is actually charged with emotion, fear and concern, is because this is my WHY!
My WHY for starting my business back in 2017.
My WHY for training in pelvic health rehabilitation.
I initially completed OT Pioneers 5 years ago, but I decided to redo this training and complete the wonderful Lindsey Vestal’s Level 1 Functional Pelvic Health Practitioner training this year.
The level 1 training expanded on the original OT Pioneers, including live training and Colorectal conditions, through a trauma informed lens, over a period of 5 months.
This work is a natural extension of the services I already provide women.
Women just like me.
But how are my services different?
Here’s a little back story!
When I visited a pelvic health therapist last year, I became emotional during the treatment….pretty understandable when you consider the traumatic experiences I have endured.
But as I experienced the letting go, the therapist stopped and asked me “Do you think you need to see a psychologist”.
Not necessarily a bad question, but the timing was wrong and clearly they did not feel equipped to hold the space for my emotions. (Which Sshe later admitted).
What I needed in that moment was someone to facilitate, allow and validate the emotional release.
And that is what I can offer you.
Because this is what is needed.
Not focusing just on the physical, but also on what you carry and hold psychologically.
My work with you supports you as a whole person. Not just a body part that needs fixing.
Your mind, body and experiences are inextricably linked! How can they be separated?
Your trauma is held in your tissues, it can affect your responses to situations, your relationships and your joy. It can affect your breathing, your pelvic floor function or even your jaw.
Everyone’s responses and every experience is unique to you.
Your time with me allows for space to be a heard - I will listen intently and care about your story.
I’ll allow space for your body to relax, release and repair.
And I’ll help to support every part of your mind, body and soul to the best of my ability.
Then if you need a different professional or treatment, I will do due diligence and suggest it at the RIGHT time.
My MISSION is to bust taboos around pelvic health - peeing, pooping and intimacy are basic human rights.
And my VISION is for people to feel supported, heard, validated and receive treatment to improve function and quality of life. You do NOT have to suffer in silence.
Thank you to Lindsey Vestal who has created the most amazing community and training for OT’s who wish to work in pelvic health. I’m proud to be the first UK OT to have completed OT Pioneers and I’m proud to be an OT working under her tutorlage, having passed my training to become a Level 1 Functional Pelvic Health practitioner.
If you have managed to read to the end thank you for listening.
And if you would like support with a whole person approach to your pelvic health, drop me a message.
My diary is open for bookings in the new year.
Tracey 💖
