Recently had a baby?

Pelvic floor muscles take time to get back to their usual state after the birth. In fact the effects of the hormone ‘relaxin' can last up to 6 months in some women after the birth.

Some women are more at risk of pelvic floor problems during pregnancy and childbirth than others. These include women who have had:

• multiple births

• instrumental births (using forceps or ventouse)

• severe perineal tearing, or

• large babies (over 4Kg).

If you have recently had a baby, it is important to reduce the strain on your pelvic floor muscles (especially in the first few months) to help them to recover. Some easy ways to do this include:

• easing back into exercise, and making sure your exercise program is pelvic floor safe

• not lifting unless absolutely necessary, and

• bracing before you lift, sneeze or cough.

It is also important to look out for common signs of a pelvic floor problem, which may include:

accidentally leaking urine when you exercise, laugh, cough or sneeze

• finding it difficult to empty your bladder or bowel

• accidentally losing control of your bladder or bowel

• accidentally passing wind, or

• a prolapse (this may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging or dropping).

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are important during pregnancy and childbirth. They are also important after you have a baby and you should always take special care of these muscles.

Our Holistic Core & Restore Programmes are designed specifically to help you exercise and follow a healthy eating plan to restore your Pelvic Floor and tone up your core at the same time!