I was summoned here by a MNtr via another thread (co-ee) A thread that made Talk of the Week (insert applause here, folks) I'm a physio with an interest in Wimmins' Ishoos
The thread led to a lot of chat and I've set up gusset grippers as a result of that and chat at the school gate. Xiting.
Joygirl - have we met on a facebook forum? That article came up yesterday on there. I have strong reservations about this sort of article - basically, if it's not from a peer reviewed publication, add salt.
Much of what this article says is fine. But, she's a biomechanical person - and that means her understanding of anatomy is not as function based as, say, a physio. And, seeing as how I'm running late and am writing this without applying any tact - the whole article does seem to be a showcase for the photos of her doing squats at Very Pregnant O'Clock. Well, that's smashing for her, but most of us will do ourselves a right mischief if we go from couch to deepsquat.
The sacrum does not flap about like a hinge joint. You want about 5mm of movement at it - the joint is shaped like an ear, has a crinkle cut crisp edge and giant, massive ligaments to hold it still. Too much movement and you get SI dysfunction, lots of pregnant ladies hobbling about will tell you what that's like. Too little SI movement and you'll get low back pain, which can be pretty bad especially when sitting.
The thing that troubles me about the article is that it says that strong gluts will help your continence. Well, that's like saying if you work your biceps you'll get rid of your bingo wings. It will have SOME effect, but nothing useful.
She's right, in that gluts are part of the core muscles you need to keep yourself upright and without bits of your guts falling out your fanjo.
But - if you have been advised to do pfexs, take the article to your care provider and ask them what they think. Don't just stop and swap for squats...
..because - squats are reeeeeeeeeaaaaalllly bad, really, really, bad for prolapses.
Here's the boring sciencey bit. 33% of women aged 35-55 have stress incontinence (you read that right. A third of the women you know are pishing themselves. Sigh) Of that third, approx 40% will have a degree of prolapse and won't neccessarily know about it.
A prolapse is essentially a hernia in your vagina. Your bladder, bowel, uterus, or the whole jing bang, can drop down into your vagina. In fact, if you want to be put off your dinner and have nightmares - google prolapse. If you were brave enough to google "dragon butter"...
Continence is a complex thing. You are right, having a brick hard beaver will not guarantee you won't have the odd accident.
Have a look at www.incostress.com - she's got some great questionnaires so you can figure out about which kind of incontinence you have. And, whether you've got a prolapse. And, what you can do about it. And, she sells a really, really good gadget to help - I'm not an employee, just a fan.
Meanwhile, in general, in most cases, doing your pelvic floor exercises will help, and might cure you.
Hold for 10 - imagine you are bursting for the loo. Squeeze for 10 seconds, when you let go you should feel a "drop", no drop and you have lost the contraction, so try and build up to a count of 10
then
10 quick flicks
then
imagine you've got a wee lift in your fanny (bear with me) take the "lift" to the first, second and third floor, adn then back down to the second, first and then relax.
Do that 3 times a day. Results in a little as two weeks, folks.
LEt's not forget that, apart from pishing yourself, there's a whole lotta tingly bits in your pelvic floor. Having a decent one will enhance your sexual responses - want to have an orgasm? Doyerblardyexercises.
I'm trying to tweet x3 day as a reminder - @gussiegrips Follow me, it'll help.
I want MN to run a campaign about this...once you look into the amount of pain, sadness, embarrassment and loss of confidence, never mind lack of orgasms that a THIRD of women (oh, 50% of the over 55's. And, remember, that's the ones who own up to it...) are living with, well, it's a political issue.
Why aren't we told about this? Why isn't it taught in schools? Is it acceptable to have a leaflet after having a baby (who does it then anyway? You've got a baby to deal with!) and then nothing until you present for prolapse surgery? (the baby will, on average, be attending high school at that point)
If you have any questions or worries, feel free to PM me. It's a silent condition that has a hideous impact on many lives - and you don't need to put up with it.
Right ho, so, do you think it's a topic worthy of a mumsnet campaign? Who's with me? (hang on, I've got an urge to daub myself in woad and run around screeching "Raaaaaaarrrrrrrr!" in an Australian accent)