Meet Rebba Kipp
1. How can physical therapy help with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum?
Answer: Pelvic floor physical therapy is a great way to address common pelvic health issues such as leakage from the bladder or bowel, pelvic heaviness, pelvic pain, or diastasis recti (a separation of your abdominal muscles). Some of these issues can arise during pregnancy and carry on postpartum. It is never too early to start addressing these symptoms and feeling better. Pelvic floor physical therapy also helps with birth preparation working on relaxing the pelvic floor, initiating strategies to relax the perineum (entrance to the vagina) to help reduce the risk of tearing, and body mechanics for labor to help with pain management.
2. What is one professional skill you are actively developing?
Answer: I am working on enhancing my skills as a doula and as a physical therapist supporting breastfeeding individuals. I'm learning within my scope of practice how to reduce discomfort, initial latch, and body mechanics assistance with breastfeeding.
3. When people find out you're a doula, what do they say or ask?
Answer: I often get asked, "What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?" I usually answer that by saying a midwife is a clinician who is there to support you during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. A doula is a support person who is there to help you emotionally, educationally, and physically. They do this by offering you unbiased education around the birthing space, through advocacy, and continuous labor support.
4. What was your path to becoming a physical therapist/doula?
Answer: It has been a journey. I initially attended undergrad and then graduate school to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Then within my first year of practice, I began seeing a lot of pregnant and postpartum individuals. I started to hear similar patterns such as "I didn't know what to expect when I got to the hospital" or "I wish this was different". And I realized I was not equipped to help them the best way I could. So I found The Pelvic PT Doulas and took their course/certification. Dr. Brown and Dr. Martin were incredible teachers and I dove right in. Starting to take doula clients within my first year of practice. I gained a whole new insight into how I could help individuals and families as a PT and as a birth doula. It has been the most rewarding experience to date.
Rebba Kipp is the owner of Tranquility Pelvic Health. She services the greater Charlotte region offering in-home and virtual pelvic floor physical therapy services and hospital-based birth doula services. To schedule a free consultation, please visit https://www.tranquilitypelvichealth.com/ and fill out the contact form. You can also reach out directly at 704-226-4859 or rebba@tranquilitypelvichealth.com.