Pediatric Pioneers Episode 16: Postpartum Recovery: What Powerful Role Can OT Play?

Dr. Zesarae Bodie, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, CSOT, founder of Intimate Health Solutions and an expert in perinatal and sexual health, joins host Nicole Quint to explore OT’s overlooked role in postpartum physical recovery. Nicole and Zesarae unpack how pediatric therapists, especially those in early intervention, are uniquely positioned to support not only babies but also the birthing parents navigating profound physical transitions. Tune in to discover how your existing skills in activity analysis, environmental modification, and co-occupation can powerfully shift maternal health outcomes without needing a new certification.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence regarding occupational therapy’s role in supporting physical health and addressing daily life challenges during the perinatal periodApply evidence-based, practical strategies to address physical strain and functional limitations across prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum phases, considering biomechanical, respiratory, and musculoskeletal changesSolve patient case scenarios involving occupational therapy interventions for prenatal care (e.g., energy conservation, body mechanics training, home ergonomics) to reduce physical strain during occupational performanceTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction to maternal health(00:02:00) Personal journey into maternal health(00:04:00) The importance of physical recovery(00:06:12) Understanding C-section recovery(00:08:25) Link between maternal and infant health(00:10:30) Language matters in maternal care(00:12:00) Normalizing the conversation around pain(00:15:28) Research insights on maternal health(00:19:20) Integrating maternal health into pediatric therapy(00:21:30) Identifying patients in need(00:24:56) Therapeutic approaches for maternal health(00:30:25) Practical interventions for new mothers(00:39:00) Advocacy for maternal health in therapy(00:47:15) Actionable takeaways for therapists(00:52:40) Case study: supporting a new mother(00:59:04) The future of maternal health advocacyPediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠