Erika Harper: On Strength, Flexibility, and Badass-ness in Pregnancy

Despite what social media and even some medical professionals will say, pregnancy doesn’t mean an automatic loss of strength and physical fitness. Today’s guest, Erika Harper, is proof of that. Erika is a lifelong athlete who has maintained her strength and fitness through two major surgeries to remove uterine fibroids and two pregnancies and C-sections. In this conversation, Erika and I talk about her birth stories, what it takes to retain your autonomy throughout pregnancy, the difference between movement for fitness and aesthetics, how meditative work helped her through her pregnancies, rekindling intimacy in the postpartum period, and more. As a yogi, speaker, mental health counselor, and sex therapist, Erika brings a unique perspective to the pregnancy and postpartum conversation, and I know you’ll enjoy this episode. (00:10:06) Showing What’s Possible (00:13:06) Respecting the Process (00:29:27) Observing the Observer (00:42:54) Optimizing Recovery (00:57:50) Black Women’s Healthcare (01:09:45) Birth Trauma Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/112 (https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/112) Made possible by: https://www.fullwellfertility.com/ (FullWell) - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet! https://www.birthfit.com (BIRTHFIT) - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community! https://bioptimizers.com/?rfsn=6074209.3a4510andutm_campaign=6074209.3a4510andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=refersion (BiOptimizers) - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need! https://organifi.com/beloved (Organifi) - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend! Learn More and Connect with Erika Harper https://www.instagram.com/harpererika7/ (Instagram @HarperErika7) https://www.erikaharperyoga.com/ (Website | ErikaHarperYoga.com) https://www.gumbamagee.com/ (Book | Fearless Gumba and Sweet Pea Snorty Magee: Shades of Black) Connect with me https://www.instagram.com/nathanrileyobgyn/ (Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn) https://www.tiktok.com/@nathanrileyobgyn (TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn) https://www.belovedholistics.com/shop (Beloved Holistics Shop) Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only. Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message