Leanne Wait, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist – My ‘Why’?💗

Welcome to my first ever blog – My ‘Why’?

I am often asked why I became interested in pelvic health. When I look back, there are many things that pointed me in this direction ….. now I work in an area of health that I am fiercely passionate about. I am grateful every day that I have found my ‘why’ and that I have the opportunity and privilege of changing people’s lives in such an important way.

My earliest memory of anything to do with pelvic health is as a very small child. I remember everywhere my mother would take me I wanted to go to the toilet. It wasn’t because I wanted to ‘go’ to the toilet literally it was because I wanted to ‘see’ the toilet/bathroom. I have no idea where this fascination came from but appreciate where it has taken me 😊.

My decision to move from regular musculoskeletal physiotherapy into pelvic health came 8 years into my career after I had my first child.   I was asked to teach my antenatal class how to do pelvic floor exercises because I was a “physio”.  What I quickly realised is that just because I was a physio it didn’t mean I actually knew that much about the pelvic floor as it was not taught to any great degree in my physiotherapy undergraduate training.  So, I hit the books - yes books the internet and google wasn’t really a thing in 2000. I learnt what I could to teach the class - then kept reading – my interest was triggered.

 Just like every child is different, both of my pregnancies and deliveries were different as were my recoveries after. This set me on a journey to explore and understand more and more about not just the pelvic floor but also pelvic health.

I then attended my first pelvic health introductory course where I learnt A LOT of valuable skills including internal pelvic floor assessment. I remember being incredibly nervous beforehand as Physio’s (unlike many other health professionals) learn by practising on each other. This gave me first-hand experience and I gained an in-depth knowledge and understanding of what my patients go through, including some of the feelings that may accompany seeing a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist for the first time.

My new skills and learning served to hook me further.

Now here I am over 20 years later with extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in this incredibly important area of health.

My initial ‘Why” has led me on the most incredible journey. I have met and helped many amazing and brave people. I have been involved in implementing change and health improvement. I am an educator and have presented at national conferences and every day I am grateful to have found my ‘Why’.

My ‘Why’ now is focused on why are we not working to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction? I have been working in this space since 2018 when I started my Mama Care Education Program for pregnant people. My hope is to not only help prevent pelvic floor dysfunction but help change the taboo and stigma around pelvic health issues.

Pelvic health issues are common but not normal.

I continue to learn.

I continue to grow.

I continue to share and teach.

I continue to empower others.

I continue to love what I do.

I continue to be grateful to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and help them change their lives.

Regards  Leanne 💜🩵💚🧡💛