OPT for Mama

Empowering Mothers. Optimizing Birth.
Nurturing Postpartum.

Support from Pelvic Health, Functional Medicine, and Infant Developmental Specialists from Conception through the 1st Year.

Courses
Virtual Consults

Expert-Led Guidance for…

Pregnancy

  • We can provide you exercises and techniques to perform ahead of birth to reduce your risk of tearing and ease your postpartum recovery.

  • We can help relieve common pregnancy related conditions such as lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain like pubic symphysis dysfunction or round ligament pain, sciatica, rib pain, carpal tunnel, foot pain, or upper back/neck pain.

  • Many women do not know how to push going into birth. This can lead to a greater risk of tearing and a slower labor. We can teach you how to effectively push to spare your pelvic floor and help with the progression of labor.

  • OPTimize Birth includes a 32 Week Guided Exercise Program tailored to help you build or maintain strength, relieve common pregnancy-related aches and pains, prepare for birth, and promote an easier postpartum recovery. If you’re seeking 1:1 support, our pelvic health physical therapist can provide a customized exercise program for you.

  • Contrary to popular belief, birthing on your back is not your only option. There are many alternat birthing positions that can relieve pressure on your pelvic floor to reduce risk of tearing and help with labor progression.

  • Learn what perineal massage is, why you should implement it into your routine at 34 weeks and how to do it.

Postpartum

  • From pelvic and perineal pain, pain with intercourse, to low back or neck and shoulder pains. Get relief ASAP from individualized exercises, self-massage techniques, and our expert product recommendations.

  • We can help you kickstart your postpartum recovery before your 6 week checkup to ensure you are getting a head start and preventing common postpartum issues like pain and excessive adhesions around your vaginal or cesarean scar, scar sensitivity, diastasis recti, incontinence, hemorrhoids, or prolapse.

  • We can help with all the bladder and bowel issues like leakage, vaginal or rectal heaviness, constipation, and frequent/urgent urination.

  • You can learn how to re-build your foundational pelvic floor and core strength to ensure your muscles are working properly for day to day activities like lifting your baby and before you return to sex and exercise.

  • We can provide you a gradual progression of diastasis recti (abdominal separation) core exercises and teach you pressure management strategies to both facilitate healing and prevent worsening of your separation.

  • Reconnect to your muscles and bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be. Get guidance for your specific exercise goals.

Infants

  • The bond between new parents and their infants takes time to cultivate. Foster your relationship with your baby by building your confidence as you learn what to do with your newborn and helping you implement strategies such as infant massage and handling techniques that will further your bond.

  • Noticing a plateau in your baby’s development, does your baby seem lazy, or is your baby not keeping up with their peers? Work with Rachel to confidently facilitate their ability to roll, sit, and crawl. Mastery of all early motor milestones lays the foundation for future strength, coordination, cognitive and social-emotional skill because movement builds the brain. Let’s get your little moving!

  • Get to the root of why tummy time is a challenge for your baby and then implement practical strategies to bolster their success with this foundational developmental play position.

  • Optimize neck and full body range of motion with a customized exercise plan to treat torticollis and/or plagiocephaly. Our approach prevents further complications such as delayed milestone attainment, permanently tightened muscles, asymmetry in the face and skull, or scoliosis. When we address a flat spot on the head early and from a full body approach, we can prevent the need for a helmet!

  • Introducing solids is exciting and yet nerve-racking. Our consult guides you through the process, including a screen for readiness, highchair and positioning recommendations, how to implement strategies to prevent picky eating before it starts, and how to facilitate fine and oral motor skills for successful self-feeding.

  • Each day is filled with micro opportunities to build your baby’s brain. We teach you strategies that can be implemented during wake windows, diaper changes, feedings, bath time, and your sleep routine to foster development. In addition, we guide you through the do’s and dont’s of baby toys and “container” usage.

All Courses
1:1 Virtual Consults

We Offer.

Comprehensive Online Courses.

    • Gain the knowledge you need to approach birth with confidence

    • Make informed decisions throughout labor

    • Learn pelvic floor techniques to reduce tearing and promote postpartum recovery

    • Develop a personalized birth plan supported by expert recommendations

    • Safely exercise throughout pregnancy by following our 32-Week Guided Exercise Program

    • Complete the course at your own pace from home

    • Learn directly from pelvic health physical therapists, a functional medicine specialist, and an infant occupational therapist

    • Rehabilitate your pelvic floor to prevent long-term issues from arising

    • Safely return to exercise with our Exercise Plan

    • Understand postpartum nutritional needs for optimal recovery and breastfeeding

    • Complete at your own pace during the unpredictable newborn days

Learn More: Courses

1:1 Virtual Consultations.

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults to prepare for birth, rehabilitate postpartum, and/or treat pelvic floor issues (incontinence, prolapse, pain with sex, etc.).

    • Our Pelvic Health Physical Therapist also provides in-home Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for Portland, OR metro-area Residents

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults to help your baby work through tummy time troubles, reach milestones, treat torticollis (head turn preference), and treat plagiocephaly (flat spots on head) without a helmet.

    • Virtual 1:1 Consults to optimize health during pregnancy or postpartum to balance hormones, treat chronic fatigue, blood sugar imbalance, nervous system dysfunction, thyroid disorders, gut dysfunctions, chronic pain, or promote weight loss.

Learn More: Individualized Consults

Every mother and baby deserves comprehensive care throughout pregnancy and postpartum — essential pelvic health support is often overlooked in today's healthcare system. Our mission is to bridge this gap by offering accessible, preventive resources that nurture your complete wellbeing during this transformative time.

  • Mary H - OPTimize Birth

    “OPT for Mama's OPTimize birth course was a huge game changer for me!! It gave me the resources and confidence to have a natural unmedicated birth at a hospital - although it's also a great course for mom's planning to use an epidural. The course covers the following topics: pelvic floor anatomy, Kegels, breathing techniques, exercise, phases of labor, birthing positions, pushing, creating a birthing plan, and perineal massage. I bought the course while in my second trimester, but I would recommend purchasing at the end of your first trimester and slowly going through the topics at your own pace. The exercise resource library, which I frequently referred to throughout pregnancy, provides exercises and stretches that are ideal for each trimester. My favorite topics in the course included the birthing positions and the pushing phase. In labor, I used several positions I learned about in the course, which provided amazing pain relief and gave me a sense of control over my labor. The pushing section taught me proper pushing techniques to avoid significant tearing for a faster postpartum recovery. Furthermore, you get lifetime access to the course and can text the course instructors questions! The course instructors - Amanda and Rachel - are delightful and incredibly knowledgeable woman that embody the essence of woman empowerment. I'm incredibly thankful for all the information and support I have received through the OPTimize birth course and @optformama content - without it, I know I would not have had as positive and wonderful of a birth experience!!”

  • Molly R - OPTimize Birth

    “Amanda gave me such great insight that you can't get from an OB provider and touched on topics I would not have thought to look into such as perineal massage and diastasis recti. I truly felt more prepared physically, emotionally and mentally.”

  • Recky M - Consult with Rachel

    “Before Rachel showed me easy steps to do tummy time, my baby only tolerated a few min of tummy time once a day. After my session with her, my baby loves tummy time and can stay longer and we do it 3-4 times a day now. She also taught me stretches to relieve tense muscles to help tummy time. My baby is a happier baby now b/c we have fun during tummy time!”

  • Jessica A - OPTimize Birth

    "I definitely learned new things. I appreciated that it challenged me to think critically about my mental, social, and emotional health. It's very evident that every aspect of the course was supported by experience and research." 

  • Dana F - OPTimize Birth

    “Highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to prepare for birth and take preventive measures to promote pelvic floor health! I was nervous for birth because I had to be induced and I know that can increase risk of needing a c-section - but this course gave me concrete strategies to implement during labor that were effective! I couldn’t get an epidural until they had administered pitocin and I was having contractions without any breaks for 2 hours straight, so I used the labor positions in the course and it helped me manage pain and continue progressing through labor. I only pushed for 25 minutes, and my nurse commented on my pushing ability, asking if I’d seen a pelvic floor PT :) Ultimately, I was able to have a vaginal birth like I wanted and that’s really all I could ask for!”

  • Anna R - OPTimize Birth

    “I am so glad I did this program because I feel like it made a difference. I got an epidural although since I was progressing fast it only partially worked but that was okay because it took the harsh edge off but I could still feel the contractions and control my breathing and relax my pelvic floor. It felt very empowering. Only had to do 4 sets of pushing and he was here at 11:46pm! Post labor and delivery I feel better than I did with my first two!”

  • Alexandra M - Consult with Dr. Leigh

    “Dr. Leigh guided me through identifying a serious hormonal issue that was causing debilitating migraines. She gave guidance in such a clear way and helped me feel like I had support and options. She is so intuitive to the body, I highly recommend Dr. Leigh to anyone dealing with hormonal health issues. She is such a delight and so knowledgeable. To have someone guide you through and give you alternative health options that the medical field doesn’t provide at times is a true gift!”

  • Shelly F - Consult with Dr. Amanda

    "I had a Prenatal Pelvic Floor PT session with Amanda at 36 weeks of pregnancy. I would recommend it to all expecting mothers! Amanda took the time to listen attentively to my concerns and tailor the session to address my specific needs. She also educated me on the importance of pelvic floor health during labor and the postpartum period and gave me many practical tips."

  • Emily R - Consult with Rachel

    "It was such a pleasure to work with Rachel on tummy time with my little one. Rachel was flexible on timing, clear with instructions, encouraging and joyful. Her knowledge of stages of development and what to anticipate was spot on and helped me anticipate my little girl rolling over super early now that she’s gotten the hang of being on her tummy! Additionally I really enjoyed the helpful content on their social media while I was pregnant, helping my body feel better and helping me prepare my pelvic floor for birth. Thx!"

  • Lauren D - OPTimize Birth

    "The preparation for birth videos were a true game-changer for my pregnancy journey! The content is comprehensive, covering everything from exercises, products to help during pregnancy, birth planning, labor, and so much more. The lessons were incredibly knowledgeable, and I loved the manageable, bite-sized information. I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to improve their pregnancy journey!"