In a recent article with TIME magazine, Ashley V. Austin, MD, sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and team physician for the New York Liberty, discusses how sports medicine principles can enhance pregnancy and postpartum care. Dr. Austin highlights the importance of strength training, pelvic floor exercises, and core work in improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.
Dr. Austin shares her experiences treating professional athletes as the primary care sports medicine doctor for the New York Liberty. As a former Division I athlete, she feels privileged to stay connected to the sport she loves while caring for elite players. She emphasizes her commitment to supporting female athletes, a group historically marginalized in healthcare.
After giving birth to her second child, Dr. Austin experienced diastasis recti, a condition where abdominal muscles separate post-pregnancy. Despite having access to excellent care and clinical expertise, she continues to recover eight months later. She acknowledges that many women lack such resources and face challenging recoveries alone.
Dr. Austin points out that pregnancy impacts nearly every organ system but often lacks guidance on maintaining or restoring health. She advocates for a proactive perinatal care model that includes musculoskeletal medicine, physical therapy, and nutrition support before, during, and after pregnancy.
For more insights from Dr. Austin’s perspective on integrating sports medicine into pregnancy care, read the full article at time.com.
