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 Objectives

• Analyze the evidence regarding occupational therapy’s role in supporting physical health and addressing daily life challenges during the perinatal period
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to address physical strain and functional limitations across prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum phases, considering biomechanical, respiratory, and musculoskeletal changes
• Solve 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 performance

Timestamps

• (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 advocacy

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