Where has my Pelvic Floor gone?

[greenlizard]

I gave birth 4 weeks ago to a healthy 9lb5 baby boy. It was a vaginal birth with forceps and an episiotomy. My pelvic floor muscles were pretty shot to pieces but I assumed with exercises they would bounce back.

So here I am 4 weeks in and suffering from stress incontinence which is one thing but also I seem to have leakage for no reason other than walking around I am having to wear tena pads. I have been doing my exercises every day but it doesn't seem to be improving much. I would like to start exercising again soon but don't see how if I can't even walk without dribbling and jeez what about sex?

I mentioned it to my health visitor who frankly wasn't very interested about anything she merely suggested that I raise it with the Dr at my 6 week check. Seems with the combination of my largish baby, vaginal birth, forceps and my age will all be contributing factors but offered no helpful suggestions on what to do about it

Any experience of this? Suggestions for an exercise routine that might whip me back into shape sooner rather than later?

I had this after DD. It got better with time and I started running after about 15 months and had no problems. I didn't wait that long because of pelvic floor issues, just laziness, so it would probably have been fine much earlier, I just didn't try.

I also had forceps and epi. Now have had DS with no forceps or epi and tried exercising after 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks (running). Each time I could feel things bulging into my vagina so am waiting it out and doing pf exercises. I think only time cures this (and avoid catching a cough!)

Have a look at the Hab-It website and DVD. Pelvic floor exercise involves a lot more than just kegels. Plus your are only 4weeks PP, so things will still need plenty of time and rest to heal.

Don't panic it's early days, this was me too after both babies, over 9 pounders, episiotomy both times and forceps for the first. My gosh the leak when I coughed, sneezed, laughed! It takes a good few months at the very least. Do lots of pelvic floor squeezes (when you remember!) and I did buggy fit with my second which was great, wish I'd done that with my first.