Sep 18, 2026 · 36 min · 9 segments
Can becoming a mother be compatible with being an ophthalmic surgeon? In part one of this two-part series, Host Dr. Ben Young invites Dr. Jaya Kumar to discuss the challenging fertility and maternal…
Jaya KumarGuestBen YoungHostYeah, and on that topic, I know that posture changes a lot as you get deeper into pregnancy, and there's a lot of musculoskeletal changes.
Is there anything specific that you could recommend to help other pregnant surgeons deal with those?
I actually, Dr. Casey Pisciano, after my second child, when I was having some pelvic floor issues, and she changed my life.
She changed my mental health from the chronic pain I was having and actually helped explain a lot of things to me that I hope that other women can benefit from.
So that increases your lumbar lordosis, rib flaring, and even abdominal separation.
Then on top of that, the most obvious thing is you have increased pressure on your pelvic floor from your uterus growing.
And then you also have some circulation changes causing swelling and varicose veins.
So I think the most important thing to continue doing during your pregnancy is Keep moving.
You can definitely practice, whether you're at home or whether you're at work, bending at your hips and knees.
From a cardio standpoint, do as much as you physically are able to in terms of walking, swimming, stationary bikes, strength training, posture breaks.
There's a bunch of exercises and I can give you the link that has some of these pictures and explanations with different diaphragmatic breathing that you can do.
From a mobility standpoint, you know, child's pose, probably my favorite pose, even not pregnant.
And then, you know, a lot of stretching to help your perineum to improve tissue flexibility before pregnancy.
Yeah, and on that topic, I know that posture changes a lot as you get deeper into pregnancy, and there's a lot of musculoskeletal changes.
Is there anything specific that you could recommend to help other pregnant surgeons deal with those?
I actually, Dr. Casey Pisciano, after my second child, when I was having some pelvic floor issues, and she changed my life.
She changed my mental health from the chronic pain I was having and actually helped explain a lot of things to me that I hope that other women can benefit from.
So that increases your lumbar lordosis, rib flaring, and even abdominal separation.
Then on top of that, the most obvious thing is you have increased pressure on your pelvic floor from your uterus growing.
And then you also have some circulation changes causing swelling and varicose veins.
So I think the most important thing to continue doing during your pregnancy is Keep moving.
You can definitely practice, whether you're at home or whether you're at work, bending at your hips and knees.
From a cardio standpoint, do as much as you physically are able to in terms of walking, swimming, stationary bikes, strength training, posture breaks.
There's a bunch of exercises and I can give you the link that has some of these pictures and explanations with different diaphragmatic breathing that you can do.
From a mobility standpoint, you know, child's pose, probably my favorite pose, even not pregnant.
And then, you know, a lot of stretching to help your perineum to improve tissue flexibility before pregnancy.
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