After childbirth the strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, which are seriously affected while the baby emerges from the womb, is a vital step.
However, with a new baby to care for and everything that it entails often simple exercises are just forgotten.
The process of having a baby means that muscles of the pelvic floor will be stretched from a mere few inches to the size of the head of a new born.
Whilst this will heal, to actually regain the abilities that it performed before requires intervention to avoid the possibility of incontinence.
Most midwives and other health workers will make the new mother aware of this situation but it is not always followed up afterwards, not surprising, considering all the other factors that are coming into play at this time of a woman’s life.
Dr. Sheila Duggan is trying to increase awareness around this issue; she is part of the Rush Program for Abdominal and Pelvic Health. The exercises to prevent any future problems are extremely simple and usually very effective.
At the front of a woman’s body, the pelvic floor starts at the public bone and continues until the back’s tailbone. In a similar way, to any other muscles of the human body it can be made stronger and enhanced by regular exercise.
The basic technique can be performed while standing or sitting down and involves the squeezing in of the muscle followed by a lifting motion. No-one will know you are even doing anything but once it becomes a habit, it will save a lot of future problems.
