Pregnant with DC2 and pelvic floors have disappeared

[rowtunda]

I'm only 16 weeks and my pelvic floors feel like they have completely dissolved. Had fast normal labour with DS and second degree year. Healed quite quickly though and no problems with continence - until I became pregnant with DC2!

Had MS and from about 8 weeks would have accident when throwing up in the morning if I hadn't emptied my bladder first. I was a bit shocked but just put it down to severe vomiting.

Now I'm 16 weeks and I really feel like I've completely lost control of pelvic muscles - everytime I cough or sneeze. Today I was walking along and really needed to go to the toilet and I was concerned I wasn't going to be able to hold it.

Starting pelvic floor exercises religiously now but wondered if anyone has experienced the same with number 2? Will it get better? I'm so shocked I never had anything like this with DS.

[Badgerwife]

dear god yes, I completely sympathise. I've been lucky in that it didn't start until later than you but now at 32 weeks, I've just had to somehow come to terms with it by wearing pads just in case. It hasn't helped that I've had the most awful cough for the last month and it's been every time unless I've literally just gone to the loo.

I think it is normal and purely down to it being the second time around and your muscles are just more loose.

Once I've given birth to this one, I'm seriously tempted to invest in a kegel machine to help get those muscles back in shape. It's no wonder that in France, you get 'pelvic floor rehabilitation' classes with your gynaecologist as a matter of course after giving birth because it is such a big problem. When I said to my sister who lives in France that we didn't get any help or recommendations other than maybe if we're lucky a quick diy chat with the HV in the UK, she was horrified and said I should do something about it or else I'll be likely to become a Tena lady by the time I'm 40.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

how many pelvic floors do you have? My one and only gave way during a Groove Armada concert never again!