Birth Trauma, The Realities of Breastfeeding & Mom Guilt with Tara Otterbein

Birth, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery… why does so much of becoming a mom feel like something we're supposed to figure out on our own? This week's episode is another “mom friends” chat where Sam is joined by her friend Tara, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor and TMJ and a certified lactation consultant, to talk about what happens when birth and early motherhood don't go quite how you imagined. Tara shares how her own traumatic birth experience led her to pelvic floor physical therapy and why she wishes more women had access to this kind of care. Together, they get into the realities of breastfeeding and pumping, the guilt that can come with feeding your baby, and why postpartum recovery isn't always something your body just figures out on its own. They also talk about the pressure to make the “right” decisions as a mom, how social media can make you question yourself, what it looks like to support a partner through a difficult postpartum experience, and why asking for help shouldn't be something we have to figure out after we're already struggling. It's an honest conversation about the physical and emotional sides of becoming a mom, with practical insights from someone who understands both the clinical side and the very personal side of it. In this episode, we talk about: Tara's traumatic birth experience and how it shaped her work What pelvic floor physical therapy can do before and after birth Breastfeeding, pumping, formula, and the guilt that can come with feeding decisions Why postpartum recovery deserves more attention and support How our relationship with our bodies can affect our pelvic floor The pressure to get motherhood “right” and how to give yourself some grace Finding support, knowing when to ask for help, and resources for navigating postpartum If you’ve ever wondered whether something you’re experiencing long after birth is normal, feel a bit more seen during your postpartum stage, or just want to understand your body a little better, this conversation is for you. 00:00:34- Meet Tara: Motherhood, Friendship & Women's Health 00:05:11- When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned 00:09:58- Breastfeeding, Pumping & the Guilt No One Warns You About 00:17:58- Why Moms Need More Support 00:22:55- Your Pelvic Floor: What You Probably Don't Know 00:29:56- Preparing for Birth: What Actually Helps? 00:34:31- Marriage, Mental Load & Sharing the Work 00:39:36- Raising Kids, Big Feelings & Finding Support 00:46:44- Final Thoughts & Where to Find Tara Follow Tara:   / maternavitae   Work with Tara: https://www.maternavitae.com/ For more on this episode and other articles on motherhood, marriage, and spirituality, subscribe to Substack: https://soullovewithsam.substack.com/ or follow along on Instagram:   / soullovewithsam