Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Zebron.
Alison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a physical therapist since 2014. I got my doctorate at Temple University. Since then, I’ve worked in various settings including hospitals, nursing homes, subacute facilities, pediatrics and home-based. I’ve worked all over the country doing travel PT and including volunteering in Malawi, Africa helping in cerebral palsy clinics. But it wasn’t until after I had two traumatic births and became a mom that I found my true passion: Maternal health care. In school, we touched on women’s health but did not go as in-depth as other subjects. At the time I was glad because I wasn’t that interested!
But in my search to tie my profession to my passion, I needed to dive deeper. So I took several courses through the American Physical therapy Associations Academy of Pelvic Health (and will continue so to broaden my expertise) to gain the knowledge and skills I have now to treat those with pelvic floor dysfunction and pregnancy-related issues. I also became a birth doula and breastfeeding educator to help moms and moms to be have an optimal experience prenatally, during labor and in postpartum.
Let me back up. My two births were very different but had one thing in common. I did not have a doula. My first birth, my midwife, was present throughout the entire birth which made the world of difference compared to my second birth in which I only had nurses coming in and out from time to time. My first birth I had a constant person there who was knowledgeable to help me change into optimal positions to help turn my baby who was getting stuck in the birth canal which avoided a c section! My second birth, I was completely ignored, yelled at when I was confused, and no one explained the procedure when I needed a surprise induction. I was confused, tired and afraid. That was where a doula would have been helpful.
Black women in the U.S are 3 to 4 x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than any other population. Some of the reasons are because no one is listening. I’m here to change. That could have been me. I could have been another statistic. But I’m here to tell my story and make a difference. That’s why I became a doula. That’s why I became a pelvic floor PT.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been easy. I started my own home-based business. So I see clients in the comfort of their homes. I’ve never done anything like this before. So navigating the challenges of marketing and getting my name out there has been really difficult!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a birth doula and Pelvic floor Physical therapist. I love serving the pregnant and postpartum populations. I see clients in their homes for pelvic floor PT. And my birth doula clients I’m there for whatever type of birth they may have. Whether its home birth, hospital birth, medicated, non medicated or c section. What sets me apart from other doulas is that I’m also a seasoned physical therapist. I have a lot of professional experience which will aid my doula clients in labor.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like San Diego is a great place to be a doula and PT. There aren’t that many doulas in the country but we are gaining interest. This goes for pelvic PT as well. It’s an up and coming specialty in our field so more of us are popping up.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thebirthpt.wordpress.com
- Email: thebirthpt@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/thebirthpt
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/thebirthpt
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