Pelvic floor training is one of the most important things to think about during pregnancy. It improves the blood supply to the tissues, keeps them elastic and strengthens the muscles that will carry the weight of the growing uterus.
The point is not to squeeze as hard as possible. What matters is control: being able to contract when you need to, and — just as importantly — to release completely. Release is the harder half, and it is the half that matters during birth.
Training always follows an examination, because a weak pelvic floor and an overactive one need opposite approaches.
Therapy
- Assessment of resting tone of the pelvic floor
- Learning correct contraction and release during pregnancy
- Breathing work
- Individually chosen training programme
- Learning contraction and release for the second stage of labour
- Home exercise programme