Pelvic floor toner for stress incontinence?? TMI

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Basically long story short:

DS has just turned 2, I had a 40 min labour, 8 lb 10 baby but he was huge in size, forceps, 3C tear, 1 year of physio (so ended this time last year). Urinary stress incontinence and 'back end' urgency issues.

Now I'm pregnant with DC2, only 17 weeks but already pelvic floor has gone to shit (was still recovering anyway). Just getting ready to go out, put some fresh pants on, sneezed and wet myself! I'd just got off the loo too so there shouldn't even have been anything in there (ha, sorry, TMI!). This is happening like once a day now since I got pregnant so I'm wondering what I can do further than kegels/physio exercises.

1. can you even use a pelvic floor toner when pregnant?
2. if it goes in your vag, how does it tone the front (and back) rather than vaginal pelvic floor muscles?

I am squeamish about anything going up my vag really but if it's actually going to help with these issues I can get over it. Had to use vaginal dilators after having DS and could barely do it!

I'd like to hear from women who have actually used these - did they actually help or waste of time? Already got kegel apps and stuff.

Luckily I'm having a c section this time because of these issues.

Anyone? It's really getting me down :(

I don't think you're supposed to use them during pregnancy, no. I am using one currently and I've not yet seen much improvement but my pelvic floor has partially been torn off my pubic bone, so we're (my physio and I) not sure there's a huge amount there to strengthen. Have you asked to be re-referred to the physio?

Not when pregnant. Do the Squeezy app and strengthen glutes etc.
I use weights in the shower and neurotrac three times a week. It definitely helps but even after 2 years, not there yet.

Oh wow smells that sounds nasty! Hope you recover OK. I hadn't thought to ask to be re-referred to physio, how obvious! I'll ask the midwife, thanks.

Thanks chocolate, I hadn't heard of those products but looks like weights and the machine thing might be good ideas for post-pregnancy. I'll definitely do some more research, looks like there's so many options.

I'm customising my Squeezy app right now and setting myself all sorts of alarms

Try MuTu. Every woman should do it after childbirth or anyone who runs a lot or has pelvic floor issues.

Haven't done it in a while and I miss it. Google MuTu.

Not sure about use during pregnancy. I certainly wouldn't risk it. It's not a gentle machine.

The Pelvitone I use has been programmed by a nurse and you can feel ALL your muscles front and back pulling up when using it. It takes a while to get the positioning just right.

It has two parts to each half hour. First part is all the voluntary muscles second is involuntary muscles.

You have to use it every day for 6 -9 months so it's time consuming. After that it's every other day to maintain tone.

Makes a huge difference.

If you think, the unit contracts all the muscles five seconds, rests for five seconds for half an hour, every day. That's 1080 specific muscle contractions and toning each day!

There's no way that result can be achieved without a unit. Or it will take forever to get good tone.

Hmm the Pelvitone sounds effective, is it the same thing chocolate suggested - this?

I have found a DVD called Hab-it which I might try before I try the MuTu thing - I get the impression a lot of MuTu is to do with Diastasis Recti, which I don't have.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Yeah that's the one. It's a bit cheaper than kegel 8. It's worth getting a referral to women's physio too for them to help/investigate.

Another recommendation for MuTu. Worth every penny. I had a small diastasis recti (about 3 fingers' gap between my abs, so not horrific) but the pelvic floor benefit from the programme has been amazing.

I have been using a kegel8 for about a month and have seen a huge difference in my stress incontinence to the point where I can actually exercise without pads. This is huge for me and I am actually amazed at the effect. It specifically says you shouldn't use it when pregnant though.

I would def ask to be referred for specialist physio but beyond that, just buy some pads and try to focus on enjoying the things you can and the fact that you will work on it post birth.

If it helps, the machine I got can also be used as a TENS machine (with different, external pads not the vag attachment!) during labour. I thought this was quite a cost effective option as I hope to have another child and rented my TENS machine for £30 last time. Hope all goes well for you!

Yeah, I love MUTU. Now on the app. It's fab for postnatal toning and I can fit it in. It's brill.

OK I think I'm deffo going to do MUTU, I have it in my cart ready to check out. Just want to make sure I can get it on the TV somehow and not have to use my tiny laptop screen ha. So glad I started this thread, loads of hope!

That's great - definitely for pelvic floor as well as DR. Enjoy it! Must get back to it...!

I had something similar and the only thing that really helped was pelvic floor reconstruction surgery with Dr Michelle Fynes at Parkside hospital. Totally recommend!

I've used Hab-it postnatallu and think it's great- not sure how much of the exercises you can do while pregnant though. The other thing I'd say would be to take it as easy as possible while pregnant (&I with a toddler...) but no heavy lifting, changing beds etc. Try and get your toddler to learn to climb in and out of car and pushchair. Don't push yourself to walk long distances as while you can do exercises and it's worth doing them the impact of your baby on your pelvic floor is high.

The epi-no has a pressure gauge so you can see how hard you are managing to squeeze. I used that occasionally to track how I was doing with the Squeezy app which I used religiously.

Can I ask about your experience with the dilators?

Hi! Sorry to hear about your issues. It's very stressful and embarrassing having to worry about this. I'm starting this programme as have been recommended

laurenohayon.com/offerings/restore-your-core/

There's a restore your core free group on face book if you want to go on there and ask a few questions first. Everyone very helpful and friendly...seems to address all pelvic floor issues so not just DR or sui. All about building a safe core! Good luck whatever you do and keep us updated on progress!

Ooh that looks good! Cheers

Hi Cox, so sorry, this didn't show up on my Threads I'm On so didn't see your message!

Vaginal dilators - TMI ALERT! I like to share though - I had to use them because basically couldn't fit anything up there postnatally... I don't use tampons and basically the only thing that goes up there is an average size penis but it was a problem, obvs. Yes, I had a LOT of stitches but I think it was the overall trauma to the area rather than being stitched too tight. I did have a pain disorder down there pre-kids anyway, from 7 years of thrush!! Which I'm sure exacerbated the issue.

The first dilator is slimmer than tampon-sized and you just kind of ease it in and keep it there for about 10 mins a day, then you can move up to the bigger size immediately or do one size for a week or so. You kind of have a handle sticking out of you so you do have to lie still, they're not something you can walk around wearing, which is a pain. It seemed to do the trick though! I was given the option of the dilators or just a dildo, haha! But I went the dilator route, personal choice! The varying sizes of the dilators definitely helped though.

Sorry you're maybe in the position to need these too! It's not fun (I am super squeamish though).

Aw thanks! Good to hear it helped