Alissa Alter: Sunny-Side Up Stalls Labor, Fundal Pressure, Heavy Bleeding and a 4th Degree Tear

Alissa Alter aka “The Amy Poehler of vaginas” joins us this episode to tell us all about her birth and journey to working as a women’s health expert and motherhood advocate, with a side of humor. This is part 1 of 2.

Alissa found herself stuck in a bad marriage and an unfulfilling career when she decided she was done suffering in silence. She began learning more and more about women’s health and encouraging other women to be open and unapologetic about their own bodies and what they go through during pregnancy and postpartum. She started Pilates for Privates to help women move and get to know their bodies, inside and out. When she started her own motherhood journey, she was certain it would be a breeze due to her extensive education.

Alissa’s baby had other plans and presented sunny-side up during labor. Stuck in the birth canal, midwives had to apply fundal pressure on Alissa. She ended up with heavy bleeding and a 4th degree tear (an extensive tear that goes from the vagina to the rectum). She had an extremely tough postpartum not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. She was very disappointed in the lack of support and education on how to handle her recovery. Due to her previous education in pelvic health, her tear healed well and she had a successful recovery.

As a result of her experiences, she started two podcasts and a website that focuses on education, empowerment and advocating for women’s health. She is changing the narrative surrounding postpartum!