Nhs Pelvic Floor Exercises After Birth

Regular pelvic floor and deep stomach muscle exercises can help to reduce the size of the separation between your stomach muscles.
Nhs pelvic floor exercises after birth. It s usually a good idea to wait until after your 6 week postnatal check before you start any high impact exercise such as aerobics or running. Pelvic floor muscles pelvic floor muscles act like a hammock supporting your bladder and other internal organs from dropping down prolapse. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles around your bladder bottom and vagina or penis. As soon as you feel up to it it s safe to go for walks and do pelvic floor exercises and gentle stretches nhs choices 2016a.
How to do pelvic floor exercises although with practice pelvic floor exercises can be done anywhere and anytime it is best to. You ll know as soon as you ve healed enough when to give them a go. Pelvic floor exercises help to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor which come under great strain in pregnancy and childbirth. Days after giving birth.
It is safe to begin pelvic floor exercises straight after delivery. This will improve your bladder bowel control and improve or stop any leakage. If the gap is still obvious 8 weeks after the birth contact the gp as you may be at risk of back problems. Daily pelvic floor exercises help you to regain control of your bladder and bowel after your baby s birth macarthur and ismail 2014.
Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen your muscles so that they can give your organs support again. The following exercises are gentle and safe to start on day 1 2 following your caesarean section. Bladder pubic bone urethra vagina uterus rectum anus pelvic floor muscles. They also help control bladder and bowel function and prevent leakage of urine.
Pelvic floor exercises can reduce swelling increase blood flow and improve healing following birth. The gp can refer you to a physiotherapist who will give you some specific exercises to do. No evidence of harm for post partum women helps to control weight and return to pre pregnancy weight improves mood aim for. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help urinary incontinence treat pelvic organ prolapse and make sex better too.
The pelvic floor consists of layers of muscles that stretch like a supportive hammock from the pubic bone in front to the end of the backbone spine. Having a well toned pelvic floor also enhances feeling in your vagina making sex and orgasm more satisfying sacomori and cardoso 2015. Everyone can benefit from doing pelvic floor exercises. After childbirth birth to 12 months time for yourself reduces worries and depression improves fitness not active.
If you exercised regularly before giving birth and you feel fit and well you may be able to start earlier. Start gently within your comfort range and progress to stronger exercises as you feel able.