As a seasoned women's clinical exercise physiologist, birthworker, and embodiment coach with over 10 years of industry experience and hundreds of women supported, I am here to guide you virtually towards your most fulfilled physiological birth and embodied motherhood journey—physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Through my proven method, WaveWork, we’ll tap into the innate wisdom of your body and mind to prepare you for the waves of a fully embodied and transformative experience of childbirth and beyond.
How we will prepare for your birth & beyond...
Understanding Your Birth Options and Creating Your Preferences
We’ll work together to explore all of your birthing options, helping you craft a birth plan and strategy that aligns with your values and goals. This comprehensive preparation will equip you physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for your sacred birthing experience—whether in a hospital, birth center, or at home.
Strengthening Your Body for Birth
Your body was designed to give birth, and we’ll prepare it intentionally for the demands of labor. Through targeted exercises, we’ll strengthen your body biomechanically and physiologically to optimize your ability to birth with confidence and ease.
Training Your Mind for the Demands of Birth
Using the neuroscience of self-hypnosis, visualization, embodiment work, and breathwork techniques like the “Push Breath,” we’ll train your mind to manage your internal environment during labor. These tools will empower you to stay grounded, calm, and in control, no matter what your birthing space holds.
Managing Pregnancy Discomforts
Pregnancy comes with unique physical and mental challenges. I’ll help you address and manage common discomforts such as:
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SI pain
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Sciatica
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Round ligament pain
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Pelvic floor heaviness or tension
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Upper and lower back discomfort
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Pelvic girdle pain, including pubic symphysis
By alleviating these discomforts, we’ll also improve your body’s ability to achieve optimal biomechanics for birth, assisting your baby into better fetal positioning.
Connecting to and Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor
We’ll focus on strengthening and connecting to your deep intrinsic core muscles, preparing your body for a smooth recovery postpartum. This includes minimizing the risk of pelvic floor dysfunctions such as:
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Diastasis Recti
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Incontinence
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Prolapse
This preparation will give you a strong foundation for a healthy postpartum recovery.
Practicing for the Big Game: Birth!
Labor is the biggest physical event of your life—why wouldn’t we train for it? As you approach your third trimester, we’ll bring all the skills we’ve built together—physical strength, endurance, breathwork, pelvic floor connection, and mental coping strategies—into action with WaveWork’s Labor Intensity Interval Training (LIIT).
This method simulates the waves of labor contractions, birthing positions, and work-to-rest ratios to help you build confidence, strength, and stamina for your birthing day.
Understanding Birth Mechanics
We’ll deepen your understanding of the hormonal and biomechanical aspects of birth, helping you connect more deeply to your pelvic floor and body. This connection will empower you to birth with intention and confidence.
Why Choose WaveWork for Your Perinatal Journey?
✔ Holistic Approach: My proven, signature WaveWork method combines physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation for a complete birth and motherhood experience.
✔ Decades of Expertise: With over 10 years of experience as a clinical exercise physiologist and birthworker, I’ve guided hundreds of women through their perinatal journeys.
✔ Tailored to You: Every plan is fully customized to your needs, goals, and unique circumstances.
✔ Science Meets Spirit: Grounded in evidence-based techniques and guided by the wisdom of the birthing process.
✔ Ongoing Support: From pregnancy to postpartum, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Postpartum Recovery and Reconnection
Your journey doesn’t end after birth—it evolves. We’ll create a personalized postpartum plan to help you:
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Reconnect with your pelvic floor, core, and postpartum body
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Safely return to the physical activities you love
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Build strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness
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Support your pelvic floor and breastfeeding needs
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Navigate the transition into matrescence with confidence
This gradual and safe approach ensures you recover fully and embrace motherhood with physical and emotional strength.
"I went into the birth of my baby feeling prepared, strong, and confident not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. Karissa was such a huge source of support for me, one that added to the beauty of my experience. So it was a no-brainer for me to continue working with her post partum and beyond. She’s fun and approachable. She keeps it appropriately challenging but cheers you on with loads of encouragement. She listens deeply and takes the time to understand your needs both physically and mentally. She really, truly cares about helping women live their best lives. I remember telling her while I was pregnant that I wish every pregnant woman had the chance to work with her."
"As we continued virtual weekly meetings, I learned multiple different breathing techniques, pelvic floor and total body strength exercises. After two births that were low intervention but still not what I wanted, having Karissa as a doula and trainer for my third was exactly what I needed. She is a true expert and blessing in the pre/postnatal space."
"I started working with Karissa a little over a year ago, not long after having my first baby. I was out of shape and intimidated about getting back into a routine. Over the last year, I’ve had lots of ups and downs as a new mom and Karissa always knows just what I need in a session. She really thinks about clients as a holistic person, knowing when to dial up a physical challenge or when to take a few minutes to talk about mental health and self care. Plus, her virtual availability and flexible schedule make it easy to stick to a routine. My life is better with Karissa in it - I’m stronger, healthier, happier, and I’m so grateful for her help and expertise."
"Karissa is incredibly passionate about women’s health, helping women understand their bodies, and empowering them with knowledge and tools to help them live healthy, full lives. This starts with Karissa’s extensive experience in guiding women on their fitness journeys through pregnancy and postpartum. Throughout my pregnancy, she challenged me physically in ways that were safe and appropriate for where I was at in my pregnancy."
"Karissa is the birth coach I always wanted but didn’t think existed. She’s tough but empathetic, extremely knowledgeable but also approachable, and she’s effectively changed my approach to exercise for the better. I started working with Karissa a little over a year ago, not long after having my first baby. She really thinks about clients as a holistic person, knowing when to dial up a physical challenge or when to take a few minutes to talk about mental health and self care."
CLIENTS REPORT
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90%
report no diastasis recti
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95%
feel stronger and happier
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100%
have an easier labor
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80%
report less pain
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