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Pelvic Power

The Benefits of Kegel Exercises

By April Underwood

It's impossible to speak about exercise during and after pregnancy without placing some focus on Kegels and the pelvic floor muscles. In pregnancy recovery, the pelvic floor muscles should receive top priority. The strength of the pelvic floor is important in maintaining the integrity of the inside passages and the position of the organs they support.

The pelvic floor muscles control the flow of urine, the voluntary contraction of the vagina and the anal sphincter as well. The pelvic floor is composed of several layers of muscle suspended like a hammock at two points: the front and the back of the pelvis. The pressure of pregnancy increases the likelihood that the pelvic floor will sag just as a hammock does.

A healthy pelvic floor has tone and elasticity. However, if after childbirth these muscles are neglected, they sag below the horizontal line and with the help of gravity, continue to sag downward. Excessive sagging over a long period of time can result in serious structural changes and possible impairment of function, namely the bladder, uterus, bowel and their contents. Common problems associated with pelvic floor weakness include:

• You or your partner may feel nothing during intercourse.
• You may have difficulty retaining a tampon.
• Prolapse of the uterus. Over time, the uterus can begin to herniate through the vaginal opening, similar to the way upholstery padding protrudes through a chair when it's supportive base is defective.
• Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary escape of urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift or run.

Not all problems with the pelvic floor are related to childbirth, so I discourage self-diagnosis and urge you to visit your doctor if any unusual symptoms persist.

Exercise throughout your pregnancy and after is always an excellent course of action. However, because the pelvic floor is not exercised intentionally during sports or basic physical activity, special efforts must be made to give it a workout.

Want to see more?

• When Laughing Makes You Leak: Fast Facts for Stress Urinary Incontinence
• Belly, Back and Bottom: Your Postpartum Restoration Plan
• Get Your Body Back: Postpartum Exercise for Mom
• Fecal Incontinence After Pregnancy
• Talk about it!

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