Prolapses / pelvic floor exercises?

[discoballs88]

Morning all

I'm a FTM due to give birth over the summer. I keep reading/hearing stories about prolapses at the moment for some reason and the thought of it is really unnerving me. (And I know it's obviously totally normal and natural.)

So I was wondering, is there anything that I can do in the run-up to minimise the chance of anything like this happening? Or is it just in the lap of the gods really?

Eg I wasn't sure if doing pelvic floor exercises pre birth might help... Or if it would just make it even harder for the baby to get out! Thanks in advance xx

Pelvic floor exercises are very important during pregnancy and certainly lower chances of prolapse

Pelvis floor is important, you can do a mix of longer holds, inhale for 4, hold for 4 (keep breathing normally) then release and also quick engagement where you hold release about 10x

Definitely do pelvic floor exercises now! Weight of the baby in pregnancy can weaken the pelvic floor before labour. Squeezy app is great.

I’m no medical expert so can’t say for sure what makes prolapses more/less common, but I thought I had one about 8 weeks postpartum and saw a women’s health physio. She was great at assessing me and giving me exercises to do (didn’t actually have one but my pelvic floor was weak). A friend who had a prolapse is successfully managing it with the help of physio too. So there is help out there if it comes to it.

Oh forgot to add - the “release” is just as important as the “squeeze” when doing pelvic floor exercises. Make sure you fully relax between the squeezes. It won’t stop baby coming out.

I second the squeezy app. It costs 3 quid but you get a reminder 3 times a day and it just quickly guides you through the squeezes so you know you're doing it properly. My midwife really laboured the point at my 24 week appointment on how important it is so definitely start as soon as you can!

Thank you so much for the advice everyone! It's really been 'bugging' me this week so glad I asked.

I've downloaded the app and will start using it today. Xx