The pelvic floor muscles may be small and hidden from view but boy don’t we take a hit when they aren’t able to do their job properly! I like to think of these muscles as the pole that holds the tent up, serving our needs both business and pleasure. During pregnancy think of the roof of the tent being inundated by rain (as your baby grows), weighing it down and the ground below softening (with the influence of hormones).

It’s pole and surrounding support structures, may have difficulty counteracting the pressure from above. Some might have a tent that has been serviced for a few events in the past so that its tarp is worn or torn or a pole or two have been lost over the years making it even harder to do its job. Then you might have the case of being hypervigilant in assembly of your tent so that it’s supports are pulling with all their might and the tarp is firm and incapable of moving (ie an overactive pelvic floor).

Pregnancy is often the time in a woman’s life that she first hears about these mysterious muscles as friends joke about the likelihood of wetting your pants when you sneeze. Often when girls sign up to start classes one of their goals is to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, which is awesome! Did you know that your pelvic floor is involved in so much more than saving you from bladder mishaps and that women can also have overactive pelvic floor muscles that cause as many dramas as weak ones.

Check out this great short clip produced by the Continence Foundation of Australia showing a 3D model of the pelvic floor. 3D Pelvic Floor Model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of a weak pelvic floor during pregnancy?

Women who are pregnant or postpartum frequently experience a variety of pelvic floor symptoms, including:

• Urinary incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying, and dysuria (pain with urination)
• Pain in the vagina, rectum, or lower stomach (often described as pressure or heaviness)

When should you start doing pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy?

The NHS advises beginning pelvic floor exercises as soon as you learn you're pregnant. After your baby is born, consult your doctor about resuming Kegels, as well as walking and gentle stretches. These can aid in your recovery from childbirth.

How can I protect my pelvic floor during pregnancy?

Body: Pelvic floor exercises, also known as squeezes, Kegels, and zip-ups, are essential for women of all ages. The pelvic floor can be stressed and damaged during pregnancy and birth (both vaginal and cesarean).

Should you do pelvic floor exercises before getting pregnant?

We recommend incorporating pelvic floor exercises into your workout routine before becoming pregnant, rather than waiting until after the baby is born to focus on Kegel muscles and a strong pelvic floor, which corrects post-partum incontinence and/or potential prolapsing organs.

How do I know I'm doing pelvic floor exercises properly?

If you're not sure if you're working the right muscles, stick your thumb into the vagina and try the exercises again. As the pelvic floor muscle contracts, you should feel a gentle squeeze.

Are squats good for pelvic floor pregnancy?

Squats are an excellent resistance exercise during pregnancy for maintaining hip, glute, core, and pelvic floor muscle strength and range of motion. Squats, when done correctly, can help improve posture and have the potential to aid in the birthing process.

Can a weak pelvic floor affect pregnancy

Weak pelvic floor muscles can make bladder control difficult, especially in the second and third trimesters. This is due to the fact that it may become more difficult for you to squeeze the muscles at the bottom of your bladder to prevent wee from escaping.

What causes a weak pelvic floor?

These factors include being overweight or obese, having chronic constipation or straining to have a bowel movement, heavy lifting, and having chronic coughing due to smoking or health problems. Growing old. Women's pelvic floor muscles can weaken as they age and during menopause.

How long does it take to train your pelvic floor?

Most people notice some improvement after 4 to 6 weeks. It could take up to three months to notice a significant difference. After a few weeks, you can also try performing a single pelvic floor contraction when you are likely to leak (for example, while getting out of a chair).

What vitamins help with the pelvic floor?

According to recent health studies, the higher your vitamin D levels, the less likely you are to have a weak pelvic floor. Nearly a quarter of the women studied had pelvic floor weakness, and those with incontinence had significantly lower vitamin D levels regardless of age.

How Be In Blossom’s Physiotherapists Can Help You?

Be In Blossom’s pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you with areas of pelvic pain or pressure, and issues with stool or urine leakage, and teach you exercises and techniques to help prepare your body and pelvic floor for delivery.
If you are experiencing symptoms and want to seek advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.