Yet another public service announcement about your pelvic floor

[Santosha]

So I've been having some issues post baby number 3. Stuff that's really hard to talk about, so suffice to say, stuff that you'd really rather avoid.
I've finally had my long-awaited appointment with a pelvic-floor physio (who, incidentally, was absolutely brilliant and I can highly recommend if you're in the eastern 'burbs of Melbourne).

A thorough examination and discussion later and it has been established that...

ALL THIS TIME I WAS DILLIGENTLY DOING MY PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES I WAS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !!!

Arrgh, that's so frustrating. I went to a prenatal exercise class, I do my kegels whenever I think to (so 5 times in one day and then nothing for a week), I actually thought I was getting quite good at them... except for the fact that said 'issews' weren't improving in the least. So now I doscover that I've become really good at activating my abs/core/glutes in such a way that it feels like a pelvic floor lift. And it's not. Not even slightly. Nada. In fact, I cannot even feel where my pelvic floor is, let alone make it move!

So my announcement is this: don't just remember to do them, find out if you're doing them right. Be sure. Seek professional feedback if you can. THEN do them lots. Because a failing pelvic floor is a very un-fun thing.

[AnyDream]

Oh sweetie - that's tough. And yes, it is difficult to talk about. I'm so sorry it's taken so long to get help after you asked for it - and I hope you start noticing an improvement soon.

[nothing2lose]

I hope you see an improvement very soon

Thanks for the PSA x

[peanutter]

Oh dear.

I got taught one technique which really means you know whether you're using the right muscles, but it involves a pencil and may be more of an AO thread.

I was going to finish with a pun, then thought it might be insensitive to make people laugh in this thread.

But I hope your isshews are no more post haste, and thank you for the PSA - it's so very very true.

[Trillian]

Yeah, there's been information come out that kegels are actually more damaging in the long term and that squats are much, much better than kegels. But NO ONE tells pg women this! I don't get why they would be persisting in that you do your 'pelvic floor' exercises but not actually tell you how to best do them.

[Arcadia]

I'm so sorry to read you've been having problems. Yes Trill I have also read about the benefits of squats over kegels. I never do kegels anymore. I wonder though whether squats can be done incorrectly too? It seems more natural than squeezing your nether regions.

[Astrid]

Before just going out and doing squats, see a professional. For some of us, squats, such as wide leg squats can make the pelvic floor damage worse.

[LionsandBears]

Just want to let you know you're not alone with the issues and embarrassment. I've only just got the guts to go see a physio this week.

[Santosha]

Thanks Ladies.

L&B are you going to the place that we had the prenatal class? I went there today and was so impressed.
I was told by my midwife there was little point going before 5 or 6 weeks because everything would still be healing and it'd be hard to get an accurate assessment of what my body's doing in the longer term... so even though it sounds like you put it off, it should be just the right time to get assessed. Good luck Hun. It's awkward but well worth it. xo

[LionsandBears]

Yep. I had an antenatal assessment when things weren't working properly, which helped a lot. Now there are other issues. Apparently 3 births in 3.5 years can alter things….

[megs]

Thank you for the reminder. My baby is about to turn 2, I have only just booked into see the dr to discuss my issues......fairly certain referral to physio is on the cards.