The Pelvic Floor Project
Embarrassing symptoms deserve better conversations.
Whether you're dealing with bladder leaks, prolapse, pelvic pain, painful sex, erectile dysfunction, constipation, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or simply wondering if what you're experiencing is normal—you're not alone.
Hosted by pelvic floor physiotherapist Melissa Dessaulles, this podcast helps you understand how your body works and why symptoms happen. Through conversations with leading researchers, physicians, surgeons, sex therapists, midwives, psychologists, and other experts, we translate the latest evidence into practical information you can actually use.
No myths. No shame. No confusing medical jargon.
Just honest conversations that connect the dots—so you can feel informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions about your health.
The Pelvic Floor Project
40. Preparing the mind for birth with doula, Elise Ruel
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In this episode, I sit down with Elise Ruel, full spectrum doula, breastfeeding educator and childbirth educator to discuss:
- What it means to prepare for birth?
- Birth as a natural process that cannot be “controlled” but rather “helped”
- Ways that cultural differences and beliefs play a role in birth preparation
- The benefits of thinking through your wishes, fears, and preferences
- The benefits of being surrounded by a supportive birth team
- How to prepare the nervous system and mindset
- How doulas and pelvic health physiotherapists can support you as you prepare for birth
Elise Ruel (Sinclair) is of mixed settler/ Anishinaabe heritage. She has enjoyed living and working in the beautiful unceded territory of the Syilx Nation and is honored and privileged to be serving Kelowna as a Full Spectrum Doula, Breastfeeding Educator and Childbirth Educator.
Elise was called to birth work after becoming a parent for the first time. She believes strongly in community and the importance of contributing and giving back in a good way. Her goals as a Birth Keeper, Doula and Educator are to nurture her clients emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well being; to support their journey through the transition into their new roles as parents and to continue to support and contribute to a safe birthing community by providing culturally appropriate services to birthing people, their families and their babies.
You can find her:
www.eliseruel.com
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Links mentioned in episode:
Doula match Canada: https://doulamatch.net
Kelowna Doula Association: https://www.kelownadoulas.com
Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com
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