Pelvic Floor Health After Baby

Talking about incontinence, pain during sex, or heaviness in the pelvic floor region can be uncomfortable.

But living with these symptoms is even more uncomfortable. So buckle up, friend!

I was told during my first pregnancy that kegels would increase the health of my pelvic floor. After the birth of my second son, I began experiencing some issues with urgency to urinate, some pain, and just a heaviness in my lower body.

I began doing research and found out that unending kegels are not the key to a strong pelvic floor. (They can be part of the solution, though.) I figured out that I should be seeing a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, and I dove deeper into female pelvic floor biomechanics. With new suggested exercises, I quickly began seeing improvements.

Many specialists agree that after birth a woman should see a PFPT, whether she is experiencing symptoms or not. A PFPT will be able to offer suggestions on different exercises and movements to keep the pelvic floor strong.

Our pelvic floor holds up all of our organs. After carrying and birthing a baby, those muscles naturally stretch and elongate, and they will take time to heal and tighten back to where they were before pregnancy. For most women, this is around six months. With something so important (holding up our vital organs), it is an excellent idea to keep the pelvic floor as healthy as possible.

While a check up after having baby (even if it has been years) is a great prophylactic, definitely see a PFPT if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Incontinence of urine, gas, or stool

• Leaking urine when sneezing, coughing, or laughing

• Urgency to urinate

• Lower abdominal pain

• Pain when using a tampon

• Pain with intercourse

• Painful bowe

l movements or constipation

• Feeling fullness or pressure in the low abdomen, vagina, or vulvar region

Please reach out to me if you would like a suggestion on a pelvic floor physical therapist close to you. Also, keep the suggestions coming! Let me know the topics you want to hear about, and what can help you in your current journey. And if you know someone that could benefit from my services, feel free to share this website.

I hope you have a lovely week! Smile and enjoy some sunshine. Lots of love, Amanda Johnson