In plain words
Pelvic floor muscle training is a set of exercises for the muscles that wrap the bottom of the pelvis. They support the bladder, bowel, and uterus, and help control urine and gas. The exercise is a slow squeeze and lift, held, then fully relaxed. Many mothers call it Kegels. It can be done lying, sitting, or standing, and it is often taught by a . Some mothers notice it helps with leaking when they cough or sneeze. Muscles strain during pregnancy and birth, so the exercise is often part of postpartum recovery. Many people do not know whether they are squeezing the right muscles, so a clinician check can help.
The deeper version
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is supervised or home-based progressive resistance exercise of the and coccygeus, with attention to voluntary contraction, endurance, and relaxation. Woodley et al. (Cochrane, 2020) found that antenatal and postnatal PFMT probably reduces urinary incontinence in the short term, with a modest effect on prevalence at follow-up, though certainty of evidence is limited by heterogeneity and attrition. Adherence and correct technique are the main determinants of benefit, and the pelvic floor is often assessed by palpation or ultrasound before training. PFMT is a first-line conservative option for and for mild , and is generally considered safe in pregnancy and after vaginal birth.
Where it comes up
- Peeing after birth and leakingPostpartum: Your Body
- Your pelvic floor after birthPostpartum: Your Body
- Returning to exercisePostpartum: Your Body
- Moving your body in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Prolapse: heaviness, bulging, and what helpsPostpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say about pelvic floor muscle training
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Sources
- Woodley SJ et al. — Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion No. 804: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period (2020)