Any advice on improving weak pelvic floor and stress incontinence apart from kegals?

[DisneyBaby]

Hello ladies, I am really struggling with stress incontinence and weak pelvic floors muscles.

I'm 31 and a FTM. My dd is 13 months old, I had a really long labour with her and was pushing from the wrong places for quite a while (peeing whilst pushing!) and didn't do many kegals whilst pregnant, which I am definitely regretting now!

I have been seeing a physio every 8 weeks through the nhs but the exercises don't seem to be helping, in fact sometimes I think they're actually making it worse because I struggle to get the technique right and end up tensing my stomach and holding my breath etc.

Is there anything else I can do to help my situation? My GP mentioned surgery but said that would only be available after I'd finished having babies. A friend mentioned something about an injection? Does anyone know about this?

I'm still breastfeeding a few times a day, so I'm hoping the situation might improve once she's fully weaned. Again has anyone else found this has helped them?

Also does anyone know if it will get worse with each child? I'd like to try for a second child soon, and would have liked at least 3 children but the thought of my bladder situation getting worse still is putting me off...

Any help, tips, advice would be greatly appreciated. (I'm willingly to pay to try any treatment or therapy that might be able to help privately.)

Look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance!

[purpleme12]

Have you been doing the pelvic floor thing since birth?
How long have you been seeing the doctor about this?

[purpleme12]

I mean have you been doing the pelvic floor thing since birth?

Sorry bit passed

[purpleme12]

Pissed

[DisneyBaby]

I've tried to do the pelvic floor exercises most days but as I said sometimes I feel like they make me worse than better. Sometimes I've done no exercises for a week and then had less leakage than when's when I've been exercising more!

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

OP have you looked at pelvic floor trainers? They help ensure you are tensing the right muscles. They do not need to be expensive eg Aquaflex cones are available on Amazon for around £15-20.

With the cones, my physio said said to use them in the shower and whilst getting ready for say 20 min, gradually increasing the weight.

[OdeYellerBelly]

My local gym (run by women) is doing an online course. I have just done it and it's very in-depth and has made a real difference. Here's the information about it.

Online Pelvic Floor Health Course!!
Monday 6.30pm or Thursday 1pm.
A new 8 week course dedicated to improving your pelvic floor health, incorporating mobility and stability exercises with breathing, relaxation and mindfulness to improve pelvic floor function and overall mental health.
It's open to women of all ages, if you're experiencing symptoms such as urgency, leaking or mild-moderate pelvic organ prolapse then this is the course for you!
All sessions are held online via Zoom, all you need is some space, a mat if you have one, a small towel and a cushion!
£52 for the full 8 weeks, all sessions are capped at 6 ladies to ensure that you receive plenty of personal attention and coaching, and led by our specialist pre/postnatal instructors.

This is the link www.facebook.com/darksidegym/posts/3559866777472298

[Trappeding]

OP did you mean you've been seeing the physio once every two months? If that's correct then I suggest you see if you can increase the frequency. The problem is that you've not got the hang of the correct muscles. It can take some time and someone who knows what they're doing to help. It's totally pointless getting you to do the exercises for 8 weeks when you can't actually do them yet! You're not doing badly here, it sounds like the system is not serving you adequately.

Have you told her that you can't do these by yourself, that they're not working because you can't find the muscles? If so, what did she say? If she brushed you off, then tell her next time that you'd like more frequent visits until you're doing it right.

As an FYI, in France where they do this after every birth for every woman, the appointments are often (usually) twice a week!! Once every 8 weeks is utterly pointless unless you really know what you're doing and need the occasional checkup! It's definitely not you that's the problem here!

[Trappeding]

Just seen you're willing to pay privately. In that case I'd call a private one today and get an appointment straight away.

[InTheFamilyTree]

You could try a postnatal pilates class, this really helped me regain pelvic floor strength and will focus on correct breathing as this can help or hinder the exercises as you have found out. It's important to 'breathe into' the pelvic floor when you release, muscles need to be able to relax as well as contract.