June 30, 2022, 4:49 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Amira Pocher is no longer known “just” as the wife of comedian Oliver Pocher. In recent years, the native Austrian has made a name for herself as a presenter, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Pocher is now using her reach to address a topic that concerns not only mothers but all women: pelvic floor health. She revealed in an interview with FITBOOK why the mother of two decided to collaborate with the pelvic floor health app “PelvicFlow.”
Amira Pocher’s pregnancies followed each other almost seamlessly. A physically demanding experience, as the 29-year-old reports. After giving birth, the body actually needs plenty of time and rest to fully regenerate. To regain full strength and bring the body back to top health, in addition to postpartum exercises, quick and intensive pelvic floor training is helpful. Amira Pocher wants to draw attention to the topic of pelvic floor training and decided to collaborate with “PelvicFlow,” an app focused solely on pelvic floor health. She shared her motivation behind this, what the training program entails, and how much the course costs in the interview.
Overview
How Amira Pocher fared after her second pregnancy
FITBOOK: You are a mother of two. What were the biggest challenges you faced after giving birth?
Amira Pocher: “For me, it started during pregnancy. My little one was still very small when I was pregnant again. Just carrying and lifting was a bit more demanding. During my second birth, I also had an emergency C-section. After that, I couldn’t lift anything heavier than the baby itself for a few weeks. I couldn’t lift my older son for a few weeks either. That was a bit of a struggle for me.”
FITBOOK: Did you have any positive physical experiences after giving birth?
Pocher: “I was pregnant for a very long time. If you add it up, it was almost seamless. And then there was breastfeeding. The body is constantly needed. Two years, that was a long time for me. Also, breastfeeding twice in a row, I was glad to finally have my body to myself and let it fully heal. It was nice to be able to focus on my body after all that.”
Also interesting: 4 exercises for tightening and relaxing the pelvic floor
What to consider with pelvic floor training after birth
FITBOOK: When did you start training your pelvic floor after giving birth?
Pocher: “First, you should do postpartum exercises and then wait at least twelve weeks before starting pelvic floor training. And to be honest, I first fully enjoyed my postpartum period. I did that with both of my births. I just think it’s such an important time. We definitely deserve to just lie in bed and cuddle for the first three months. But after about eight weeks, I started the first postpartum exercises, the first workouts.”
FITBOOK: Is pelvic floor training or “PelvicFlow” also worthwhile for women who had a child several years ago? Why is it sensible to start then?
Pocher: “The pelvic floor is a muscle, and you can always train it. Even if you don’t have problems now, they can come with age. It’s definitely never too late, and I would do it regularly, like every five years, take a course. It definitely doesn’t hurt. And it’s also important for menopause. It can go in a completely different direction then–from bladder weakness to incontinence.”
Also interesting: Women can also train their pelvic floor with love balls
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“PelvicFlow” app – all about pelvic floor health
FITBOOK: What can you expect from the “PelvicFlow” app?
Pocher: “You can download the app for free from the app store. It’s special because you can decide freely: When do I do the training session, how can I schedule it? Normal courses, where you actually have to go–especially as a new mom, it’s not always easy, you don’t have the time, or the kids don’t sleep regularly–you’re tied to the course times. That’s just the advantage of this course (PelvicFlow; editor’s note). It lasts eight weeks, and I think 45 minutes for a session is absolutely okay. You can easily do it from home. For example, when the child is sleeping, I use the hour to do my training.”
FITBOOK: What does the “PelvicFlow” training program offer?
Pocher: “It’s not just exercises; you also learn about breathing. I did it together with Sabine Meisner, a pelvic floor and physiotherapist. She’s, of course, the expert. I was just the one performing in the video. She (Sabine Meisner, editor’s note) brings a lot of know-how. She teaches us what the pelvic floor is, how it works, how to control it, feel it, and how to find it in the first place.”
Also interesting: Buteyko method – the effect of reduced breathing on the body
FITBOOK: Are the exercises doable for “non-athletic” women, or do you need a certain fitness level?
Pocher: “It’s really very, very simple and doable for everyone. I demonstrated it quite well in the app (laughs). Even ‘non-athletic’ women can do it, it’s no problem at all.”
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Is there coverage by statutory health insurance?
FITBOOK: And is the course covered by statutory health insurance?
Pocher: “‘PelvicFlow’ is certified and recognized as a prevention course. Every insured person is entitled to two prevention courses a year, and that’s why ‘PelvicFlow’ is (partially) funded and sometimes fully covered by all health insurance companies.”
We talk too little about pelvic floor training
FITBOOK: How did the collaboration with “PelvicFlow” come about? What is your motivation behind it?
Pocher: “I was approached for a collaboration. At first, I thought it wasn’t for me because everything was okay with me since I always took good care of my body after my births. But then I let it sink in and thought more about it, and I became increasingly aware that it’s just not talked about enough. The wrong things are always in focus. It’s always about: How much weight have you lost, when’s the first bikini photo, how do I get rid of stretch marks, and whatnot. Really cosmetic things and not the important things like health or pelvic floor health. Strengthening and firming your body long-term is the most important thing. I decided to collaborate because I wanted to be a good spokesperson that conveys the right values.”