MomLife Health and Wellness

07/15/2025

One year ago today, we opened our Braintree clinic with one goal in mind: to provide high-quality, personalized pelvic health care to women on the South Shore.

In 12 months, we’ve welcomed 227 new patients and supported over 3,400 visits. These numbers speak to the growing need for this kind of care.

We’re so grateful to everyone who’s referred, supported, or trusted us along the way. Can’t wait to see what year 2 brings! 🤍
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07/11/2025

You won’t find many doctors more compassionate than this one. We’ve been lucky to have him for all these years in MA and are so grateful for the work he continues to do to improve the standards of care for endometriosis 💛

Statement to the Joint Committee on Public Health, Dr Malcolm “Kip” Mackenzie, July 10, 2025

Dear Senate Chair Driscoll, House Chair Decker, and members of the Public Health committee,

My name is Malcolm Mackenzie, MD and I have practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 30 years with the last 15 years spent working at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge with a focused engagement in the treatment of endometriosis.

I strongly support all three of the bills proposed today, H.2527/S.1564 — An Act relative to the creation of an Endometriosis Task Force and S.1638 — An Act relative to endometriosis awareness.

I want to thank those who have authored and signed onto the bills related to endometriosis and thank those who form this Joint Committee on Public Health.

I submit this letter in support of legislation to address a disease that affects 10% of women, has devastating impact on their lives and where our paradigms of treatment, anchored to flawed theories from 1927, continuing to add to already a century of medical harm.

I have three points to make:
1) I have a practice experience that allows me to say that we in medicine have this all wrong. That ObGyn's particularly continue to fail as a specialty in treating endometriosis.
2) There is desperate need for a comprehensive strategic blueprint to address this disease, not just for the suffering of patients, but for the impact on their communities and on a health system that continues to pay for ineffective care. We need to elevate this to the public health issue it is.
3) My third point is that there is precedent for the legislative initiative proposed in today's House and Senate Bills. There is precedent where the care of endometriosis throughout the world for large populations of women suffering from endometriosis has been righted.

For the first 15 years of my practice, I treated patients with endometriosis, based on what I was taught in residency. What I had learned about diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis was wrong — evidenced by the fact that doing what I had been taught provided no relief to my patients and actually made things worse for them. I committed all the sins I now identify and criticize.

Motivated by failure, I read about the few Gynecologic surgeons throughout the world reporting effective treatment and durable relief based on an enlightened understanding of endometriosis and an advanced surgical skill set. What a concept: if a patient has a disease that causes pain and dysfunction and I take all of it out, not just some, not just burn it, not just try to suppress it with hormones, take all of it out, then they get better. What a concept! The excision surgery I performed, commonly had life-transformative, life-restorative effect. The good news is that there is a highly effective treatment option. The bad news is that like me for 15 years, healthcare writ large, moves too slowly to that goal. There are few surgeon experts in endometriosis, only a handful of training programs in advanced endometriosis, and up to 70% of ObGyn Resident graduates express a lack of confidence in managing the disease.

And what is the goal? And what is the direction that healthcare needs to take towards addressing and rectifying its failures?
• There is no strategic blueprint for guiding endometriosis research.
• There is no strategic blueprint for raising public awareness of endometriosis as the major national health issue that it is.
• There is no strategic coordinated training strategy to expand best surgical practices and specialized care.
• There is no comparative evaluation of the impact that various treatment approaches to endometriosis have on health care spending.

WE, as ObGyn's have failed as a specialty to provide comprehensive strategic leadership in the care of endometriosis. Mired in wrong paradigms we keep doing the same thing even though we know it doesn't really help. We need your HELP to help our patients with endometriosis.

The good news is that there is precedent to what is proposed in these three bills. Great Britain enjoined a task force to evaluate its approach to endometriosis. The recommendations included amplified advocacy, improvement in the patient experience, guidelines for treatment improvement, curriculum for provider skill development, rigorous systems for vetting endometriosis surgeons and rigorous clinical outcomes assessment. Never perfect but much better with method now in place for continued improvement. Australia in 2018 convened its own task force with similarly comprehensive conclusions. Denmark, Germany, France — The increasing focus on endometriosis at a global level emphasizes the growing recognition of the need for improved understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of this debilitating disease. And how about Massachusetts?

I hope we can listen to those patients who speak — but also hear those who suffer in silence — and convene a task force with teeth or a commission with comprehensive mandate to improve the quality of endometriosis care perhaps for ourselves but definitely for our daughters.

I am grateful for the opportunity to testify and ask that the Public Health committee report this legislation favorably as soon as possible. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Malcolm Mackenzie, MD
Mount Auburn Hospital
Founding member TEAM (The Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts)

07/08/2025

Did you know that in many European countries and in Australia, it’s standard care for women to receive physical therapy after giving birth?

In France, the government actually covers a series of 10+ pelvic floor physical therapy sessions for postpartum women, regardless of whether they had a va**nal or cesarean birth. These sessions aren’t only for those with symptoms. They’re offered to all women, because these healthcare systems recognize that pregnancy and childbirth impact every body…and everyone deserves support recovering from it.

Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Australia have built postpartum rehab into their national healthcare models. It’s not treated as a “bonus” or something you seek out only when something feels wrong. It’s viewed as an essential part of women’s health, making it proactive and empowering.

In the U.S., most women are cleared to return to activity at six weeks with no assessment of their pelvic floor, core strength, or functional recovery. Many are left to navigate pain, leaking, heaviness, or feelings of disconnection from their body entirely on their own.

This is a gap in care, not a luxury service. Postpartum physical therapy helps women recover more fully, feel stronger, and prevent long-term issues, whether they’re struggling now or not.

Thankfully, more and more providers are working to shift this standard and bring more awareness, access, and support to postpartum care.

We’re proud to be part of that movement.
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07/01/2025

During pregnancy, diastasis recti is a necessary change our bodies need in order for your baby to grow. This is when the two sides of your stomach muscles separate. While it’s necessary for the late stages of pregnancy, it isn’t so ideal if it doesn’t close on its own postpartum. ⁣
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Many moms are afraid to do any core work because of this gap. BUT there’s so much more to it than the width of the separation. Depth is also important, and so is being able to connect and control your core muscles during different activities. ⁣
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If you have a wide gap but it’s more firm (which means it’s more shallow) and not bulging during activity and exercise, that’s a great indicator that the core can perform that movement appropriately. On the other hand, you could have a very narrow gap, but if you get a doming or protrusion when you try a specific exercise, that’s an indicator your core is having trouble withstanding the pressure, and needs some extra help!⁣

There is no “one-size-fits-all” prescription to healing diastasis recti, which is why it can be so helpful to work with a professional that can give you the best exercises for your body!
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06/17/2025

Would you believe that all of these symptoms could be caused by a c-section scar??⁣?
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Recovering from a c-section is a big deal. You have a major surgery, then are sent on your way with a new human to care for- with very little information on what to expect and how things will heal. You sure aren’t told that your scar could give you problems YEARS LATER. ⁣
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Scar tissue from you c-section scar can not only lead to pain at the incision site, but can be the cause of back pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and more. Everyone woman should check in with a pelvic PT after a c-section to learn how to prevent scar tissue through self-massage and exercise. If it’s been awhile (even years) since your c-section, there are still manual techniques that can help with your scar. ⁣
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Image from ⁣
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06/12/2025

THREE out of 4 women experience pain during in*******se at some point in their lives. ⁣
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Painful in*******se is not unique to people who have had children, although childbirth could play a role in onset of symptoms. Symptoms can be related to pain of the va**na, the v***a or both. Pain can be brought on by penetrative or non-penetrative s*x. It can be upon initial pe*******on or with deeper pe*******on. Painful in*******se is not going to look the same for everyone, however it is not uncommon.

This topic may be uncomfortable to bring up to your doctor. If you bring it up, you may feel dismissed by your doctor. So many women suffer for months or years without getting help. But know there is help out there 🤍.

Art by
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06/10/2025

This topic comes up every so often and I think it’s an important one to keep revisiting…

Consider someone injures their ACL skiing. Up until that moment, they had a perfectly healthy knee. They schedule surgery and have it repaired. It is explained to them their recovery will likely take 9-12 months, and they will follow an extensive rehab protocol with the guidance of a physical therapist through it all.

Now take pregnancy and childbirth. Nine months of your body and physical function gradually changing from your baseline. You then birth a child, either va**nally or by cesarean section… a MAJOR event for your body to go through. Yet you are expected to recover in 6-8 WEEKS, ready to go with exercise, s*x, and all other responsibilities, with literally no guidance.

And those most frustrating part is, there are health professionals ready and waiting to provide postpartum rehab to every new mom! Why can’t our healthcare system treat new moms the same as any patients post a medical procedure?

I’m hopeful we’re slowly making our way there.
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05/29/2025

“Why would I go to pelvic floor PT while I’m pregnant?”

Honestly? Because pregnancy is already asking a lot from your body…and you deserve support before something feels off.

Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy isn’t just about managing symptoms (though we help with those too). It’s about:

✔️ Staying active without pain
✔️ Learning how to push effectively
✔️ Preventing leaking, heaviness, or pressure
✔️ Supporting your body as it changes
✔️ Feeling ready (physically, mentally, emotionally) for birth and recovery

It isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing things in a way that feels good and aligned with your goals.

What did you do during pregnancy to help yourself feel good? Comment below!
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05/27/2025

⭐️BIG NEWS⭐️

We a currently looking to add a pelvic floor physical therapist to our team! The position is for 30-40 hours/week.

This job is FOR someone:

⭐️with a strong passion for women’s and pelvic health and willingness to collaborate

⭐️excited about 1:1 hour long evaluation AND treatment sessions, allowing time to truly know your patient’s concerns and needs

⭐️who values a long-term relationship with patients and can provide compassionate pelvic health care across a lifespan

⭐️looking to make patient care a priority, with less worry about documentation or insurance

⭐️appreciates a fun, relaxed working environment that considers work-life balance and avoiding burnout

If you or someone you know may be interested, reach out via DM or email caryn@momlifehealth.com

05/19/2025

Everyone talks about being “cleared” at 6 weeks postpartum postpartum. Cleared to what? Generally speaking, we’re talking about be cleared to exercise and have s*x. But does this actually make sense?

Yes, it is important to be monitoring healing… and 6 weeks is around the time an incision has mostly healed, bleeding has stopped, and the uterus has shrunk back to pre-pregnancy size. But does that mean everyone’s ready to jump back into exercise or have s*x at 6 weeks? ⁣
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Unfortunately, the answer is no. ⁣
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Every pregnancy, every postpartum body are subject to unique considerations. There’s no universal return-to-exercise timeline. ⁠⁠⁣
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But there are guidelines. GOOD guidelines.⁠⁠⁣
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You should give yourself AT LEAST 2 weeks to rest and recover after birth, no matter what type of delivery you had.⁠⁠⁣
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It is smart to spend AT LEAST 4 weeks rehabbing and retraining your core and pelvic floor after your initial recovery.⁠⁠⁣
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You should spend AT LEAST another 6-12 weeks gradually and progressively building foundational strength and retraining motor patterns BEFORE increasing intensity and duration of exercise. ⁣
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This is a rough guideline, and it could very likely take more time than mentioned above.⁣

In terms of having in*******se for the first time postpartum, some may have no problem at 6 weeks. Some may have been ok if they tried at 4 weeks. Others at have pain at the va**nal opening. Some may have deeper pain. Some may be too nervous to try. All are common and can be helped.
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This is difficult to navigate on your own. If you’re able to seek professional guidance from a pelvic floor PT as you return to exercise and/or in*******se after a pregnancy- do it!
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Questions?? Reach out and we can help guide you in the right direction!⁣
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05/15/2025

💫SPOTLIGHT ON Dr. Danielle Kearney, PT, DPT💫

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at MomLife Health & Wellness

With 10+ years of experience in orthopedics, post-op rehab, and pelvic health, Danielle brings deep clinical knowledge and genuine heart to her work.

Originally drawn to PT through her love of sports, Danielle’s journey into motherhood sparked a shift—now she’s passionate about helping women through the physical transformations of pregnancy, birth, and beyond. She also specializes in functional dry needling.

💬 “The best part of my job? Connecting with women through all phases of life—to offer support, education, and empowerment in times that are often vulnerable.”

Danielle grew up in Framingham and now lives in Medway with her husband and two sons. When she’s not in the clinic, she’s usually on the soccer field, cooking up something delicious, or working on a new DIY house project. And her newest love? Baking with her sourdough starter—affectionately named Sourdough Sam.

Danielle brings a calm, thoughtful presence to her sessions and loves helping women feel confident, strong, and understood in their care.

Danielle currently sees patients in our Medfield clinic!
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05/07/2025

It’s World Maternal Mental Health Day! Let’s discuss…

In the post partum period, women are vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Many factors can play a role: sleep deprivation, hormones, a bleeding va**na, navigating a new body, and all the new and overwhelming feelings of taking care of a newborn.

Normally, getting out and moving your body can help with anxiety and depression. However, if you add leaking urine, gas, or stool, and/or pelvic, back or ge***al pain, we are less likely to get outside to move our bodies. We can’t leave the house or even walk with the baby because we are leaking p*e, or it hurt our back. We can’t go out to lunch with girlfriends because we don’t want to have an “accident” in a public place.

We can’t drive or sit because our va**nas hurt or tailbones hurt. We can’t have s*x with our partners because it’s painful and dry and feels different.

We feel like strangers in our bodies and that leads to isolation, fear, depression, and anxiety. Which can lead to us being stuck in the house or giving up the things that we used to do that bring us joy (exercising, hiking, running, yoga, going out, traveling, etc).

Pelvic floor dysfunction CANNOT be ignored...at any stage post partum. Whether it’s 6 weeks or 6 years. When your body is not doing what you want it to be doing, it will affect you, and affect other parts of your life and relationships.

Pelvic floor physical therapy needs to be standard of care for post partum women. And it’s not just about staying dry, it’s about helping the mother love her life in it’s entirety.
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