346: Pelvic Floor Health, Incontinence, Bladder Botox and Vaginal Birth Trauma - Postpartum Facts with Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald [with video]

Jun 11, 2024

On Air with Ella episode 346

Uro-gynecologist Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald is On Air with Ella for women's health

Listen in on this important conversation with Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, a Urogynecologist and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgeon, about women's health after childbirth, during perimenopause and after menopause.

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Get the full episode transcript here.

In this episode:

What is a Urogynecologist and why do we need them?
Vaginal birth trauma (including tears) and pelvic floor health
Prolapse - how it happens and what to do about it
Urge incontinence and stress incontinence
Bladder Botox injections to treat incontinence
Vaginal estrogen and why Dr. Fitzgerald loves it for vaginal dryness and much more
Bladder irritants - the little known diet choices that may be causing spasms
Risks of childbirth and what women should know
What exercises can help?

I’m convinced that nobody goes into pregnancy knowing what a Urogynecologist is because then we’d have to admit up front WHY Urogynecologists need to exist (and why there’s a 6 month waiting list to see one). I honestly feel bad sometimes telling people what I do for a living because they realize how common pelvic floor disorders are that a WHOLE DOCTOR type exists to treat them. Surprise: it’s because vaginas fall out, bladders leak, sex hurts, and anal tears lead to accidents. Anyone who sells the fantasy that vaginas just come out of expelling a 7lb person unscathed is living in a fairytale. The good news is, there are treatments available. The problem is that we only tell women about these on the back end after they’ve suffered and delayed care: this is damage control mode. Women deserve to GO INTO birth armed with what resources are available to them postpartum

Click to expand full episode transcript

For those interested in learning more or connecting with Dr. Fitzgerald, she can be found on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @JJFitzgeraldMD, as well as on LinkedIn.