Q: I have recently had a baby and have some weakness in my pelvic floor. I don’t feel it’s bad enough to see anyone but do you have some tips to avoid or improve incontinence problems? Katrina, 35.
A: Thanks Katrina. It’s a common problem among new Mum’s that they can experience some weakness in their pelvic floor. This is from a mixture of hormones, the delivery and the physical pressure of the baby on the pelvic floor throughout the pregnancy. So ladies who have delivered by c-section are not immune!
Sally our Women’s health expert has offered her advice with 8 easy tips to help reduce your incidence of incontinence:
1. Reduce your intake of caffeine (gradually) as caffeine can increase the need to pass urine
2. Eat a high fibre diet to prevent constipation
3. Turn on your pelvic floor muscles when you cough or sneeze
5. Maintain a healthy weight
6. Avoid drinking just before you go to bed
7. Try to go to the toilet when you feel the urge not "just in case"
8. Practice your pelvic floor exercises for 2 mins a day
The Pelvic Floor is like any other muscle in the body. With the correct exercise you are able to strengthen it. If you are are having some problems but are not comfortable with a pelvic examination we offer Real-time Ultrasound assessment in which we can externally view your pelvic floor and stomach muscles to assess their strength, and teach you how to properly activate them. It is certainly something our post pregnancy patients find worthwhile. Regaining the strength of your pelvic and abdominal muscles post-pregnancy is essential to help prevent incontinence and back or pelvic pain. And it’s easy when you know what to do!
