Pelvic floor 4 weeks post-partum, am I being too optimistic?

[Jbck]

Not sure where best to put this, I'm doing my exercises every time LO feeds and if I remember in between but so far I don't reckon I can feel any difference. I'm still rather nervous to stray too far from a loo just in case. I thought by now I'd have started to notice a bit of a difference but it still feels pretty 'loose' for want of a better word.
I had a mid-cavity forceps delivery & pushed for about 1.5 hours prior to that.

[skidaddle]

Jbck - I had a bad tear and it took 6-8 weeks before I was confident to go out for long periods without worrying. Did you tear badly? Have the stitches healed? Might be worth mentioning at your 6 week check? Sounds like you are doing everything right though (i.e exercising the muscles as often as poss) so things should improve soon

[Jbck]

Thanks skidaddle I had an episiotomy and m/w said it was healing fine, I think I'm maybe expecting a bit too much too soon. I had an accident on Tuesday night when I woke up in the wee small hours & realised I was desperate. Didn't make it to the loo without leaving a trail on the way (apologies but we've all been through it). I just thought that by now I'd have been able to hold it in a bit better I'll continue with my exercises and mention it to the Dr if I don't feel it's more like it should be. My check up is actually due around Xmas Eve but I'll make it the week before so as I don't have as long to wait in case there is a problem.

[NineUnlovelyTinselDecorations]

Jbck I couldn't hold it in at either end for about 6-8 weeks after DS was born. But it improved very quickly after that and now he is 15m I can honestly say there is no difference between my pelvic floor now and before the birth. And I hardly did any exercises [naughty].

[sparklygothkat]

I couldn't even feel my pelvic floor 4 weeks after having Callum and even now, 10 weeks on, I still have small accidents...

[Jbck]

Oh ladies I feel a bit better now, I can hold in number 2s cos they're still a wee bit painful at present. Began to think it was a taboo subject as no-one else seemed to have mentioned it. Guess I'll just have to see if Boot's do a festive party Tena for Xmas till things improve , don't want to be standing in a big queue for the loo shouting 'can I skip, i've just had a baby!'

[Rachee]

LOL..... So glad i found this thread, as DS 9 days old and i have had a few accidents ( luckily in the house, but infront of DH!!!) ... was beginning to think it was only me and i was going to buy shares in TENA !!
I have been excersising, every time i BF sometimes pulsing other times just clench and hold ( LOL ) but didn't do much before the birth, oops ! I only have the accidents when i get deperate.... then watch out, don't make me laugh or cry, clear the way- coming through !!!!!

[TrinityTheRedNosedRhino]

wow you are being very optimistic
I couldn't really feel my pelvic floor at 4 weeks and at 4 months with dd2 I went on a trampoline and wet a little

it will come

[pregnabrain]

Hello there

Just wanted to add that it's worth asking your GP if your hospital has a specialist continence physio. You can be referred by your GP and the physio will test your pelvic floor strength and then help you get back in shape as quickly as possible. It's definitely worth finding a physio if you can - mine really helped me.

You do need to give it time, though. It was months rather than weeks before I felt relatively normal again. But you will definitely get there, especially with the right help.

best of luck and enjoy your new babies!

[miniegg]

JBCK, I burst into tears 3 weeks after giving birth when I ran (well, sort of moved faster than a walk!) to pick something up and leaked really badly. I couldn't believe it and thought i'd never heal.
A few months on, and lots of pelvic floors down the line, i think i'm 99pc normal again. Give it time, and do those exercises. And i'd definitely recommend you see a specialist. I saw an amazing woman in London - had to go private as the NHS only just gave me a referral now (the baby is nearly 5 months old, FGS!) but it was worth every penny. (cost about £50 for a consultation and I only needed two.)
Turned out I wasn't targeting the right area with my pelvic floor exercises - I hadn't realised there were "front" ones and "back ones" and the technique is slightly different.
Hang in there
x