Pelvic floor excersizes...?!

[AlexTasha]

Firstly, did/do you do them and secondly how do you know if you are doing them correctly? They seem like a hassle, but on the other hand I don't want to set myself up for a life on incontinence! Any advice would be highly appreciated :)

i never bothered with any of the post natal exercises and so far so good. my little boy is now 18months. didnt personally feel they were doing anything. probably werent doing them right!

I found a lovely irish lady with a pilates video, she has some on the end (last 7 or so minutes) that's the link. She tells you what to do and for how long etc and is a physio.

I really struggled with them last time and was very lazy at practising them. I never had any problems after the birth (DS is now 22 mo), but I'm now 6 mo pg and am wishing I had more control iykwim! I still can't do them properly though so am going to get one of those electronic stimulator gadget wotsits after the birth to try and help me get them back into shape. I'd persevere if you can!

Far too late for me, but dont plan on having any more children. Where do yuo get them gadgets from and how much? Would they tone your stomach up too? x

You just squeeze your muscles like your holding in a pee and poo hold n let go, make sure your not squeezing your bum cheeks together tho. U can do them while your watchin telly or driving or anything i do 10 fast 10 slow twice a day.

Is it the epi no! that's used for post-natal conditioning sometimes.
This link pg 35 of purple NHS book has a fairly good description of Kegels/Pelvic floor exercises.

Def. worth persevering with them. And keeping going. Try doing them when you're brushing your teeth.
As an aside DH loves it when I practice them during sex!

this is the one I have my eye on. It is pricey, but I figure it'll save me a fortune in Tena Lady in the long run!

I understand the theory behind them, I just can't do more than a couple without 'losing' where I'm meant to squeeze if that makes any sense...

I didn't make enough effort after the first two. Now following DDs birth I'm seeing a continence physiotherapist to get myself back in shape.

They are important. You might not see problems straight away but down the line is when it starts to happen.

Bit late for me then. Oops. But maybe i did do them? Does actually needing to pee and holding it in count? If so then yep i done plenty. Spent first two days home from hospital with my little boy in my arms as he would only settle on me. After that he started to settle better.

Thanks so much ladies, I will have a look at the links and aim to persevere! :)

Don't hold in pee unless you obviously can't go, (like ellen found), or have just been a few mins ago (like wot I is getting at 38wks thanks to Missyface punching me)...it leads to incomplete voiding, infection and possible incontinence as you're confusing your body. If you can go, go...
Only do the "stopping peeing mid flow" thing once to check the muscles...for the same reasons...it's hugely confusing to your body's signals. Once you've established you're using the right muscles, and especially after birth when everything a bit "flappy" try visualising the muscles and trying, eventually you will feel it again.