What s more research has also suggested that women who do pelvic floor exercises may have a slightly shorter active phase of labor than other women.
Doing pelvic floor exercises while pregnant.
This can cause incontinence.
Pelaez et al 2013.
But here s the good news.
In this exercise the lower back and arms are involved and therefore it tones and strengthens the area.
Doing pelvic floor exercises will strengthen these muscles and.
Relax the abs and pelvic floor exhale repeat.
Next inhale and lift your hips while tightening your pelvic floor.
Performing kegel exercises during pregnancy is an effective way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and help prevent incontinence pelvic organ prolapse and assist with labor and delivery.
Kegel exercises are pelvic floor exercises.
During pregnancy and after childbirth your pelvic floor muscles are lengthened and weakened.
To do it lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
This last pelvic floor exercise strengthens the muscles.
Why pelvic floor exercises are important.
Exercise during pregnancy is a good way to keep yourself fit and prepare your body for labor as well as lower your risk of certain complications.
Doing pelvic floor muscle exercises kegels from early pregnancy onwards can stop those accidental wees in late pregnancy and within six months of childbirth.
Hay smith et al 2008.
Doing kegel exercises while emptying your bladder can actually lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder which increases the risk of a urinary tract infection.
Continue doing your kegels all the way into your t hird trimester.
During your pregnancy your pelvic floor muscles will loosen due to hormonal changes in your body.
Pelvic floor exercises help to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor which come under great strain in pregnancy and childbirth.
Many factors can weaken your pelvic floor muscles including pregnancy childbirth surgery aging excessive straining from constipation or chronic coughing and being overweight.
Pelvic floor exercises can also prevent prolapse which is where the pelvic organs drop down into the vagina hay smith and dumoulin 2006.
Study after study has shown that regularly doing kegels before during and after pregnancy can help decrease the odds of incontinence and other pelvic floor issues.
