Should I be doing Pelvic Floor exercises?

[AhoyMcCoy]

I've been going to birthing classes. I guess it's sort of a cross between yoga and hypnobirthing.

Every week the teacher does about 30 seconds of pelvic floor exercises, and says we shouldn't be doing more than that, as we want baby to come easily during labour and not be "held up" by anything, and that after the birth we can do lots of pelvic floor exercises then.

Is that right?! Will strong pelvic floor muscles mean a more difficult labour or more likely to tear?

First time I've heard that - I thought the received wisdom was strong pelvic floor was good for birth?

I don't know if they help or detract from labour itself, but having a strong set of pelvic floor muscles will speed recovery and help avoid some incontinence issues.

The problem with doing them after the birth is that I couldn't actually feel or control mine at all for several weeks.

That advice is incorrect. You need to exercise your pelvic floor about 2-3 times a day. A strong pelvic floor won't 'get in the way of labour' but it will aid your recovery after the birth and also help to prevent problems like incontinence and prolapse.

I had a rock solid pf before dc1 and I think it DID hinder my labour. An over tense pf can go into spasm and prevent baby passing through. I was in labour for days and had terrific pain there during labour. I'm not convinced my pf hasn't torn away a little as a result of the difficult birth.

I had a very weak pf for dc2 (stress incontinence weak) and yet recovery has been far, far quicker. I don't feel like my insides are going to fall out. Last time I couldn't walk far for months. This time I'm up and about after a week

I do know though, that the pelvic floor is involved in turning the baby to get the head through the pelvis, so a posterior baby is helped by a decent pf. didn't help mine though. I suffered terribly with dc1 but had an easy time with dc2. pelvic floor was as loose as they come second time around, though.

The truth is there's a difference between a muscle that is strong and a muscle that is very high tone or tense.

The perfect pelvic floor is one that can contract strongly when required but is in a state of semi relaxation most of the time and can also relax fully when required (eg when urinating). Sometimes the pelvic floor can get really tense and 'up tight', ie difficult to relax and full of muscle knots etc. I could see how this could potentially effect labour (although I think hormones take over anyway).

The important thing is to strengthen your pelvic floor in a way that it functions really well (ie can contract and relax fully with normal tone). You definitely don't want a rock solid pelvic floor, this type of muscle simply won't function properly. But ordinary pelvic floor exercises won't cause this problem if done correctly.

The NHS iPhone app 'Squeezy' is really good, designed by women's health physios and ensures you relax fully between each squeeze.

Ok great, thanks! Downloaded the app (I do love a good app!) and have given it a go. Think my pelvic floor is probably fine at the moment anyway - can squeeze, hold and release fine (TMI?? Sorry!) but even doing some exercises will surely be more useful in the long run that what I'm doing now (which is none, TBH). Thanks

Ahoy def carry on doing them, I did with DS1 (natural labour) and I have a good pelvic floor, no "issues" and everything feels as fine as it was. I do them again now I'm pregnant. Infact I have a toner I use which really helps. :)

Yes you should be doing 3 sets of exercises a day according to the NHS of both slow and quick exercises...

Slow exercises... tighten for 10 seconds, relax for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times

Fast exercises... tighten and release quickly 10 times

Apparently women are supposed to do these from the age of 14... wish someone had told me that!

Given my MN name, maybe I should get that app! :)

As others have said, I have been advised to do fast/slow pf exercises that tighten and fully relax. I doubt 3 rounds of squeezes a day would be capable of making them rock hard anyway? Not unless you had one of those keegel fanjo dumbbells!