Pregnancy is a significant milestone in a woman's life. But as the little one grows inside, the added pressure and strain put on the body can cause discomfort and even issues with the pelvic floor muscles. Fortunately, practicing kegel exercises during pregnancy can help alleviate these issues and make the journey to motherhood much more comfortable. In this article, we'll dive deep into the benefits of kegel exercises during pregnancy, how to perform them correctly, and real-life examples to show their effectiveness.
What are kegel exercises?
kegel exercises, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, are simple exercises that help in strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor. These muscles support the bladder, rectum, and uterus, and they play a crucial role in preventing urinary incontinence, improving sexual health, and maintaining overall abdominal and pelvic region stability.
Why are kegel exercises Important During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the expanding uterus, pressure from the growing fetus, and hormonal changes can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to a variety of issues such as:
- Urinary incontinence (leaking of urine when laughing, coughing, or sneezing)
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse (when pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum drop lower into the pelvis, sometimes even protruding into the vagina)
- Difficulties during labor and delivery
Regularly practicing kegel exercises during pregnancy can help prevent these issues, as well as help with a smoother labor and a faster postpartum recovery.
How to Perform kegel exercises
Finding the Right Muscles
The first step in performing kegel exercises is identifying the right pelvic floor muscles. To do this, try stopping your urine midstream the next time you go to the bathroom. The muscles you feel contracting are the ones you want to target during kegel exercises. Remember, though, not to make a habit of stopping your urine flow as it may lead to urinary tract infections.
The Proper Technique
- Sit or lie down comfortably, with relaxed abdominal and thigh muscles.
- Tighten your pelvic floor muscles as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine. Be careful not to use your abdominal, thigh, or buttock muscles.
- Hold the contraction for 5-10 seconds, then relax for an equal amount of time.
- Repeat this process 10-15 times per session, and aim for at least three sessions per day.
Consistency is key with kegel exercises – the more regularly you perform them, the stronger your pelvic floor muscles will become.
Kegel During Pregnancy Example:
Maggie, a 30-year-old pregnant woman, was experiencing frequent small leakages of urine during her second trimester, especially when she laughed, coughed, or sneezed. After talking to her healthcare provider, she learned that her pelvic floor muscles were weakened due to the pressures of pregnancy.
Maggie's provider recommended incorporating kegel exercises into her daily routine. After a month of performing these exercises consistently, Maggie noticed a significant reduction in urinary leakage episodes. She also felt stronger and more confident during her pregnancy journey and eventually had a smooth labor and delivery, thanks in part to her strengthened pelvic floor muscles.
Now that you understand the importance of kegel exercises during pregnancy and the proper way to perform them, it's time to integrate them into your daily routine. Consistency is key, and in time, you'll be amazed by the benefits these simple exercises bring in promoting a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.
Feel free to share this article with fellow moms-to-be, and don't hesitate to explore our other guides on pelvic floor therapy to help make your pregnancy journey a little bit easier!
