pelvic floor

PELVIC FLOOR

The Pelvic floor muscles form a funnel that supports your uterus bowel and bladder, and closes the entrances to your vagina, rectum, and urethra. When pelvic floor muscles are weakened or damaged, as the result of childbirth for example, they can not do this effectively. This can result in stress incontinence, decreased satisfaction during intercourse and prolapse. Stress incontinence means that you might leak small amounts of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. It is estimated that up to 25 percent of new mothers suffer from stress incontinence. Strong pelvic floor muscles can support the extra weight during pregnancy. Help in the second stage of labour and by increasing your circulation, assist in healing of the perineum between the anus and the vagina after the birth of your baby. The pelvic floor muscles lie in two main groups, making a figure of eight around your urethra, vagina and anus. Muscle fibers come from your back and front, high up on your lower back and pubic bones. The layers of muscle overlap so are thickest at the perineum.

HOW DO I FIND MY PELVIC FLOOR

Imagine you are trying to stop your flow of urine mid-stream, the feeling is one of squeeze and lift closing and drawing up the front and back passage. You might find it difficult at first but it does get easier. The catch is that you have to squeeze and lift without pulling in your tummy

Without squeezing your legs together.

Without tightening your buttocks.

Without holding your breath.

Pull in and tense the muscles around your vagina and anus. Hold as long as you can without straining. Relax repeat 25 times or more each day start doing this exercise again as soon as you can after your baby's born to lessen the risk of a prolapse. Early exercise will tone up your vagina for sexual intercourse too. Try to make the exercise part of your daily routine.

Once you have had your baby and are ready to leave the hospital, the hospital will give you some leaflets on pelvic floor. I found that after I had my 3 children doing the pelvic floor exercises does help as strange as it sounds it also helps when you have stitches.
Once you have had your baby and are ready to leave the hospital, the hospital will give you some leaflets on pelvic floor. I found that after I had my 3 children. Doing the pelvic floor exercises does help, as strange as it sounds it also helps when you have stitches. There is aslo a very good DVD on this subject its called The postnatal workout. It shows you how to do your pelvic floor and how to get back into shape after the birth. Check out the following website. Its excellent. If you can, purchase their DVD, you will be glad you did. www.interactivepregnancy.com