Pelvic floor muscle after pregnancy
The woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. We have heard concerns from women about leakage and a sense of heaviness under the pelvis during exercise post-pregnancy. This is a sign of a weak and underactive pelvic floor muscle after giving birth. This blog aims to address some of the questions that women face post giving birth, including:
What can happen with an underactive pelvic floor muscle?
The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises.
Signs of urinary incontinence.
When can we commence pelvic floor physiotherapy after giving birth?
A weak and underactive pelvic floor muscle
Many structures in the body get stretched out during pregnancy and while giving birth. As with all muscles when overstretched, the pelvic floor will be weaker and less functional at varying degrees after giving birth. The pelvic floor is the muscle that supports the underside of your pelvis, and it ensures the support of your bladder. When the pelvic floor becomes weak, prolapse and incontinence can occur.
The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises
While this can be a daunting situation to be in, we are here to show you that your pelvic floor can be restored to its previous function. With pelvic floor exercises under our direction and key adjustments in your daily routine, you will see the situation improve tremendously.
Signs of urinary incontinence
If you feel a heaviness or leak urine when laughing or sneezing, it’s a sign the pelvic floor isn’t engaging correctly and needs to be activated and strengthened. These symptoms are quite common in women after giving birth. Studies show 46% of women experience urinary incontinence during pregnancy and 35% continue to have incontinence issues after childbirth. If left untreated, this issue can persist well into menopause.
The solution for pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence is specialised physiotherapy that focuses on women’s health.
Every new mom should get assessed by a trained women’s health physiotherapist to ensure you know if you are activating your pelvic floor correctly. Here in Sydney Health Physiotherapy, a session in women’s health will often involve an internal examination where the pelvic floor muscle is assessed for its ability to support the pelvic organs such as the bladder.
When can we start physiotherapy after giving birth??
Pelvic floor strengthening can start gently straight right after childbirth in comfortable seated positions. As you regain strength and confidence in your pelvic floor, these exercises are upgraded. These exercises are tailored to you individually to ensure continence while you stand, walk, carry your baby, and run.
Physiotherapy in women’s health can give you the tools and support to help along the process. If you are having difficulty getting back to exercises after baby, book in to see one of our women’s health physiotherapists.
