Pelvic floor... Am I too late?

[Ethanmummy13]

Hey everyone,

Just wondered if you have done your pelvic floor exercises? If so how long for and from how many weeks pregnant?

I'm 25 weeks and not done it at all but reading up that I should be doing it! Oops!

Thanks loz x

 

[candymycandy]

Yes do them now. Never too late. I don’t think the importance of them is stressed enough. Carry on after pg too x

 

[SarahTWD]

Agree with Candy, start them now and do as often as possible. I didn't do many at all with my first and coughing/sneezing/laughing was an embarrassment. I'm 31 weeks now and have been doing them most days throughout and so far other than when I had bad morning sickness I've had no embarrassing leaks xx

 

[Princess81]

Never too late to start! I recommend sorting a pattern out to associate them with, like when you're doing the dishes or styck at a red traffic light!
One long clench of ten seconds and ten short pulses.

 

[CornishGirl]

There's an NHS app called squeezy that can talk you through some exercises but I don't think it's free. I bought it after my last pregnancy and definitely think it helped.

 

[Kholl]

Not too late at all! My prenatal yoga teacher emphasized the importance of squats too- as in kneeling in a squat and just holding it. We did kegels while holding ourselves in that position too (in our class). Now I am on baby 4 (pregnancy 5) and I have had ZERO issues wiyh incontinence or leaking or anything with my pelvic floor- I swear by those squats!!

 

[Ethanmummy13]

Does it help during labour? Or is it more for afterwards? Xx

 

[candymycandy]

There is some evidence to suggest they can contribute to the pushing stage but largely they’re aimed at during pg and after. Make sure you’re doing them properly (who’d have thought you could do it wrong hey?!) by watching a YouTube vid etc and don’t do TOO many. Someone suggested the app which i’d recommend too.

You will also find pregnancy Pilates or yoga helpful as kegels are just one element that help strengthen the pelvic floor, your whole core being strong is a massive help.

Take this from someone with pelvic organ prolapse, wish they’d tell you about this in sex education at school!

 

[netty]

every time i see this thread answered i immediatly do my pelvic floor exercises! thanks

 

[MissKW]

Honestly I never remembered to do them whilst pregnant, but did make sure I started when I felt comfortable enough to soon after my son was born (he's 12 weeks). Everything down there went right back to the way it was before pregnancy by the time I was 8weeks postpartum. However I have always been active and had a perfect textbook natural birth so I have been extremely lucky! I wouldn't worry too much if you don't remember to do them as often as you should whilst pregnant as everything actually needs to and should slacken off down there to go through childbirth anyway. Afterwards though start them straight away and do them whenever you can

 

[Princess81]

It’s really important to do them in pregnancy. They are the same muscles that support your bladder and bowel functions - so you certainly don’t want them losing tone due to the weight of the uterus. Vital for continence in later life and to try to prevent prolapse of the uterus.
Each woman’s midwife should counsel her to be exercising pelvic floor during pregnancy and asap after delivery.

 

[Shanivy]

every time i see this thread answered i immediatly do my pelvic floor exercises! thanks

Haha same

 

[candymycandy]

Honestly I never remembered to do them whilst pregnant, but did make sure I started when I felt comfortable enough to soon after my son was born (he's 12 weeks). Everything down there went right back to the way it was before pregnancy by the time I was 8weeks postpartum. However I have always been active and had a perfect textbook natural birth so I have been extremely lucky! I wouldn't worry too much if you don't remember to do them as often as you should whilst pregnant as everything actually needs to and should slacken off down there to go through childbirth anyway. Afterwards though start them straight away and do them whenever you can

MissKW while I do like the idea of everything slackening off for childbirth it’s actually very important things are as strong as possible. They strengthen the pelvic basket which support all your pelvic organs and so help to protect against prolapse induced by pg/childbirth. Additionally they will help strengthen to try and avoid tears etc.

That was your next reminder to do them ladies haha!

 

[netty]

doing them now

 

[Sydney]

Pelvic floor exercises get their 15mins of fame during pregnancy/post birth, but in reality all women should be doing their exercises regardless of if pregnant/wanting/had children. It's never too late to start for long-term benefits of future bladder/bowel control

 

[Princess81]

Men should do them too

 

[Sydney]

Men should do them too

Haha! I was going to add that to my post too haha

 

[Princess81]

Men should do them too

Haha! I was going to add that to my post too haha

I always tell them to lol! They get so embarrassed about it, despite the fact I’ve just been talking to their partner about engorged breasts, perineal sutures and constipation lol!!

 

[candymycandy]

Oh the glamour!!

 

[Sydney]

Men should do them too

Haha! I was going to add that to my post too haha

I always tell them to lol! They get so embarrassed about it, despite the fact I’ve just been talking to their partner about engorged breasts, perineal sutures and constipation lol!!

Haha and all the teaching breastfeeding/hand expression and realise your hand is at your own breast