I want to have a vaginal delivery. Is there anything i can do to decrease the risk of future pelvic floor problems?
Yes! We know that doing pelvic muscle exercises increases the strength and weight of the pelvic floor muscles AND can improve SUI and POP if already present. The MOST critical time to be doing Kegel exercises is immediately after trauma, when rehabilitation is most effective. So after a vaginal delivery, I suggest to ALL women, do your Kegel exercises every time you feed the baby, whether you are breast or bottle feeding for at least three months. Also, if the first time you have noticed significant SUI is DURING your pregnancy, do not be alarmed. The hormone progesterone which is high late in pregnancy can decrease the urethral muscle tone and therefore can precipitate SUI. This often resolves after delivery. If on the other hand you begin leaking AFTER your delivery, this puts you at increased risk, but over time usually things will improve, especially if you are doing the exercises regularly.
