How One Mama Prepared Her Body and Heart for Birth
- Amanda Simmons
- Oct 24
- 3 min read
Pregnancy is such a sacred and transformative time, and the way we prepare—both physically and mentally—can make a world of difference when labor begins.
Today, I want to share a story that beautifully illustrates what happens when a mama takes time to strengthen her body, connect with her pelvic floor, and nurture her mindset leading up to birth.
One of my sweet clients recently left me the kindest review after giving birth, and her story captures so much of why I do what I do as a pelvic floor physical therapist here in Spokane.
Preparing for Labor: Strength + Confidence
When this mama first came to see me, she wanted to feel confident going into labor—strong in her body, calm in her mind, and ready for whatever her birth story would hold.
We spent our sessions focusing on pelvic floor therapy for pregnancy, blending functional strength training with pelvic floor coordination. Together, we worked on building strength where she’d need it most—her hips, core, and glutes—while also practicing how to push effectively and safely when the time came.
But we didn’t just focus on the physical side of things.
We also spent time preparing mentally and spiritually—learning how to trust her body, release fear, and stay grounded in peace even when labor gets intense. Through faith-centered conversations and intentional breathwork, she learned how to connect her mind and body in a way that would serve her beautifully in birth.
All of this was supported through personalized daily workouts and education she could easily access through my app, designed to make pelvic floor and core work simple and effective for even the busiest mom.
Her Birth Experience
After her birth, she shared these words that truly touched my heart:
“Dr. Amanda is the absolute best for all things pelvic floor! Seeing her is a necessity for all pregnant women—especially first-time moms. She was kind, knowledgeable, and patient in answering all my questions. The things I learned from her were vital not only for my pregnancy, but for labor & birth as well.”
Reading her story reminded me once again that intentional preparation matters.
When we give our bodies and minds the tools they need, we don’t just hope for a smoother birth—we actively prepare for it.
Why Birth Preparation Matters
Every birth is unique. But when we strengthen our bodies, understand how to connect with and relax the pelvic floor, and prepare our minds through prayer, peace, and practice, we can step into labor with confidence.
True preparation isn’t just about learning how to push—it’s about learning how to trust your body, surrender to the process, and partner with God’s beautiful design for birth.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about grace, strength, and readiness.
Want to Start Preparing for Your Stronger Birth?
If you’re pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, I’d love to help you start your journey with purpose and confidence.
👉 Download my free guide: “5 Exercises to Prepare for a Stronger Birth.”
These are the same foundational movements I teach my clients inside my ASCEND | Motherhood program to help them strengthen their pelvic floor, improve mobility, and feel calm and confident heading into labor.
You can grab your free guide here:
Want to learn more about ASCEND | Motherhood? You can learn more about the program here:
About Dr. Amanda Simmons
Dr. Amanda Simmons, PT, DPT, is a pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of Ascend Pelvic Health in Spokane, WA. She specializes in helping women prepare for birth and recover postpartum through evidence-based therapy and faith-centered support.
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