Pregnancy Pain Sucks

Dr. Brandie Keates
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Let’s be real—pregnancy can be tough, and sometimes, it downright sucks. But guess what? You don’t have to navigate it alone. Welcome to Pregnancy Sucks, your go-to podcast for honest, evidence-based talks about the ups, downs, and everything in between of pregnancy. Hosted by Dr. Brandie, a seasoned pregnancy chiropractor, this podcast offers a blend of expert insights and heartfelt conversations to help you, your partner, and your providers get the pregnancy experience you deserve. Remember, “Pregnancy pain is common, not normal."

  1. Apr 29

    Pregnant While Working: The Reality No One Talks About | Alyssa Roe (Part 3/3)

    What happens when motherhood, work, and pregnancy all collide at the same time? 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WK Today, Dr. Brandie Keates continues her conversation with Alyssa Roe in Part 3 of this series, focusing on the challenges women face while working during pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood. Alyssa opens up about navigating pregnancy in male-dominated workplaces, being let go after announcing a pregnancy, working through physical pain and exhaustion, and the emotional weight of trying to “do it all.” TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: The challenges of navigating pregnancy and motherhood in the workplace The mental load of balancing remote work, childcare, and family life How burnout, exhaustion, and lack of support affect working mothers CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/believed Available Courses: That pain in your pelvis? I know exactly what it is. And I can walk you through it: https://www.drbrandie.com/kickpeggyout

    24 min

  2. Apr 22

    The Truth About Postpartum Depression, Isolation, & Birth Expectations | Alyssa Roe (Part 2/3)

    What happens when pregnancy and postpartum don’t feel like what you were promised? 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WK In this episode of Pregnancy Pain Sucks, Dr. Brandie Keates sits down with Alyssa Roe, mom of four and her strategic assistant, for a raw and honest conversation about what pregnancy actually feels like when things don’t go as expected. This is part two of their three-part series, shifting the focus to the mental and emotional realities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Alyssa opens up about her experiences across multiple pregnancies, sharing the isolation, confusion, and emotional toll of feeling unseen, unsupported, and unprepared. Together, they unpack the gap between expectation and reality, from the pressure to feel grateful, to the silence around postpartum depression, to the lasting impact of a traumatic first pregnancy. This is a candid look at what so many women experience but rarely say out loud, and a reminder that if you’re struggling, you’re not alone. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: The reality of postpartum depression, bonding struggles, and feeling disconnected from your baby How physical pain and complications can deeply affect mental health and identity Why support systems (partners, providers, and community) make or break the experience CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/believed Available Courses: That pain in your pelvis? I know exactly what it is. And I can walk you through it: https://www.drbrandie.com/kickpeggyout

    28 min

  3. Apr 15

    Severe Pregnancy Pain Is NOT Normal: Sciatica, Pelvic Pain & Being Ignored | Alyssa Roe (Part 1/3)

    Pregnancy pain, feeling dismissed by providers, and what it really means to advocate for yourself during and after pregnancy. 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WK In this episode of Pregnancy Pain Sucks, Dr. Brandie Keates sits down with Alyssa Roe, mom of four and her strategic assistant, for a raw, real conversation about what pregnancy actually feels like when things don’t go as expected. Alyssa shares her experience with early-onset sciatica, severe pelvic pain, and feeling dismissed by providers who told her it was “normal.” Without proper guidance or referrals, she navigated multiple pregnancies believing the pain was her fault, while juggling work, expectations, and the mental toll of not feeling heard. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes… with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why pregnancy pain is often dismissed The real impact of untreated pelvic pain  How to advocate for yourself CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/believed  Available Courses: That pain in your pelvis? I know exactly what it is. And I can walk you through it: https://www.drbrandie.com/kickpeggyout

    25 min

  4. Apr 7

    Your OB’s Dirty Little Secret

    Why Your OB Isn’t Referring You… The Truth About Pregnancy Pain, Medical Systems, and Getting the Care You Deserve 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WK In this solo episode of Pregnancy Pain Sucks, Dr. Brandie Keates pulls back the curtain on a frustrating reality many pregnant women experience… feeling dismissed, unheard, and left to figure out their pain on their own. After nearly 25 years in practice, she shares what she’s seeing behind the scenes when it comes to OB referrals…and why so many women aren’t being guided toward the help they actually need. From malpractice fears to hospital system pressures and referral tracking, Dr. Brandie explains the deeper, often hidden reasons OBs may hesitate to send patients outside their network… even when better, more specialized care exists. She also breaks down why “traditional” approaches often fail pregnant women, and why pregnancy requires truly specialized, nuanced treatment…not one-size-fits-all solutions. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes… with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why OBs may not refer out… malpractice risk, system pressures, and the reality of medical sales culture Why pregnancy pain is often dismissed (and why “just deal with it” is not acceptable care) How fear, inactivity, and lack of guidance can impact pregnancy, birth outcomes, and maternal health CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/believed Available Courses: That pain in your pelvis? I know exactly what it is. And I can walk you through it: https://www.drbrandie.com/kickpeggyout

    16 min

  5. Apr 1

    Emotional Healing & Pregnancy | Erin Woodbridge

    Trauma, relationships, and pregnancy … how unprocessed experiences show up in your body, your reactions, and your relationships. 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary 📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WK In this episode of Pregnancy Pain Sucks, Dr. Brandie Keates sits down with trauma therapist Erin Woodbridge, co-founder of The Willow Space for Trauma Treatment, to explore how trauma quietly shapes the way we think, feel, and relate…especially during high-stress seasons like pregnancy and parenthood. Erin breaks down the difference between trauma-informed care and true trauma-focused therapy, explaining why many people struggle with anxiety, disconnection, or relationship conflict even without a formal diagnosis. The conversation dives into how past experiences live in the body, showing up as emotional reactivity, numbing behaviors, or feeling “out of control” in everyday situations. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes… with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: How trauma shows up in everyday life (even without a PTSD diagnosis) Why relationship conflict is often rooted in past experiences, not the present moment Pregnancy, identity shifts, and how major life transitions can trigger unresolved trauma CONNECT WITH ERIN WOODBRIDGE: Website: https://www.willowspacefortraumatreatment.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowspace_traumatreatment/ CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/48hour Available Courses: Conquering Pubic Pain (for sharp, stabbing pain in your pelvis when walking, rolling over, or climbing stairs): https://www.drbrandie.com/pubicpain

    51 min

  6. Mar 25

    Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pregnancy: What No One Tells You | Kristen Nicolosi

    Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum ... why the pelvic floor is often the missing link in pain and recovery. 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WKPelvic floor issues are incredibly common during pregnancy and postpartum ... but many people don’t realize how connected the pelvic floor is to symptoms like back pain, pelvic pain, and core dysfunction. In this episode, Dr. Brandie talks with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Kristen Nicolosi Melnick about why the pelvic floor is often the missing piece in complex symptoms that just aren’t improving. They discuss how pelvic floor therapy works, why collaboration between chiropractors and pelvic floor physical therapists leads to better outcomes, and how breathing, movement, and pressure management all play a role in healing. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes ... with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why the pelvic floor is often the missing link in persistent pain, bladder issues, and core dysfunction How pelvic floor physical therapy and chiropractic care work together during pregnancy and postpartum The role of breathing, movement, and pressure management in pelvic floor healing and recovery CONNECT WITH KRISTEN NICOLOSI:  Website: https://www.pelvicroom.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.kristenpelvicpt/ CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/48hour Available Courses:  That pain in your pelvis? I know exactly what it is. And I can walk you through it: https://www.drbrandie.com/kickpeggyout

    35 min

  7. Mar 18

    Bottle Refusal: Why Your Baby Won’t Take a Bottle (and What to Do) | Julianne Gardner

    Bottle refusal… how a mom invented a baby bottle that uses her scent to help babies transition from breast to bottle. 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WKMany babies struggle with bottle feeding ... especially breastfed babies who are used to the comfort and scent of their mother. In this episode, Dr. Brandie talks with entrepreneur and mom Julianne Gardner about how frustration with her own baby’s bottle refusal led her to invent the first bottle lovey designed to help babies transition from breast to bottle using mom’s scent. They discuss the emotional toll bottle struggles can have on parents, the science behind maternal scent, and how one mom turned a personal challenge into a solution that’s now helping families everywhere. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes ... with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why some breastfed babies refuse bottles and the stress it creates for parents. How a mother’s scent can soothe babies and support successful feeding. The story behind inventing the first bottle lovey to help babies transition from breast to bottle. CONNECT WITH JULIANNE GARDNER:  Website: https://www.bottimals.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bottimals/  CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie

    17 min

  8. Mar 4

    Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters in Pregnancy and Birth | Melissa Lucchesi

    Pregnancy support during birth and postpartum, how trauma-informed doula care helps parents feel safe, supported, and prepared. 🟢 Book an Appointment with Dr. Brandie → https://www.drbrandie.com/sanctuary📖 Grab What Your Partner Doesn't Expect When You're Expecting → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWDH5WKIn this episode of Pregnancy Pain Sucks, Dr. Brandie Keates sits down with birth worker Melissa Lucchesi of Moon Sage Mama to talk about the emotional realities that many people bring into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Drawing from Melissa’s background in trauma work and her years supporting families through birth, the conversation explores why acknowledging past experiences…from previous births to fertility journeys or personal history…can dramatically change how supported and safe someone feels during pregnancy and labor. They also unpack the powerful role doulas play as part of a modern “hired village,” helping both parents navigate the emotional, physical, and practical challenges of bringing a baby into the world. Dr. Brandie Keates is a prenatal chiropractor and sports medicine specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She runs Bloom Sanctuary on the Main Line in PA, where she treats pregnancy pain the way sports medicine treats athletes… with precision, respect, and evidence-based care. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why past experiences, trauma, and fertility journeys shape the pregnancy and birth experience The real role of a doula, supporting both parents through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum What true postpartum support looks like (and why sleep, practical help, and reducing mental load matter) CONNECT WITH MELISSA LUCCHESI:  Website: https://www.moonsagemama.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonsagemama/  CONNECT WITH DR. BRANDIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrandie/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorbrandie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrandie  Struggling with Pubic Pain? Download our free guide here: https://www.drbrandie.com/48hour Available Courses:  Conquering Pubic Pain (for sharp, stabbing pain in your pelvis when walking, rolling over, or climbing stairs): https://www.drbrandie.com/pubicpain  Wrist Pain Relief (for carpal tunnel, tingling, or that ache that radiates up your arm):  https://www.drbrandie.com/wrist  Rib Pain Solutions (for that feeling like you can't take a full breath or something's jabbing you under your ribs): https://www.drbrandie.com/ribpain  Back, Hip, Leg & Foot Pain (for sciatica, hip clicking, round ligament pain, or plantar fasciitis): https://www.drbrandie.com/backpain  Headache Freedom (for tension headaches, migraines, or that pressure behind your eyes): https://www.drbrandie.com/headaches

    30 min
See All (28)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Let’s be real—pregnancy can be tough, and sometimes, it downright sucks. But guess what? You don’t have to navigate it alone. Welcome to Pregnancy Sucks, your go-to podcast for honest, evidence-based talks about the ups, downs, and everything in between of pregnancy. Hosted by Dr. Brandie, a seasoned pregnancy chiropractor, this podcast offers a blend of expert insights and heartfelt conversations to help you, your partner, and your providers get the pregnancy experience you deserve. Remember, “Pregnancy pain is common, not normal."

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Brandie Keates
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Pregnancy Pain Sucks

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