The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a supportive hammock-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It spans the area between the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis and the tailbone (coccyx) at the back. The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in supporting the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus (in women), and rectum.

The primary functions of the pelvic floor muscles include:

1. Support: The pelvic floor muscles help maintain the proper position and alignment of the pelvic organs, preventing them from descending or prolapsing.

2. Continence: These muscles contribute to urinary and fecal continence by providing control over the release of urine and stool. They work in coordination with the sphincter muscles to maintain continence and prevent leakage.

3. Sexual function: The pelvic floor muscles play a role in sexual sensation and function. They help with vaginal muscle tone and contribute to orgasmic contractions.

4. Stability: The pelvic floor muscles work together with the deep abdominal and back muscles to provide stability to the pelvis and spine. They help maintain good posture and support the body during activities such as walking, lifting, and jumping.

Childbirth can have a significant impact on the pelvic floor due to the stretching and strain that occurs during the birthing process. The specific factors that contribute to the effects on the pelvic floor include:

1. Stretching and tearing: During vaginal delivery, the baby's head passes through the birth canal, which requires the pelvic floor muscles and tissues to stretch significantly. In some cases, tearing of the muscles and tissues may occur, particularly in the perineal area (between the vagina and anus).

2. Hormonal changes: Throughout pregnancy, the body produces hormones like relaxin, which help loosen the ligaments and connective tissues in the pelvis to allow for childbirth. While this hormonal change is essential for the delivery process, it can also contribute to a temporary increase in pelvic floor laxity.

3. Prolonged pressure: The pressure exerted by the baby's head and body against the pelvic floor during labor can place strain on the muscles and tissues. Prolonged labor or the use of instruments like forceps or vacuum extraction may further increase this pressure.

A weak pelvic floor can have several implications and may lead to various issues. Here are some common implications of a weak pelvic floor:

1. Urinary & Fecal incontinence: Weak pelvic floor muscles may result in stress incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine or faeces during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. The weakened muscles are unable to provide adequate support to the surrounding organs and tissue.

2. Pelvic organ prolapse: When the pelvic floor muscles are weak, the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, may descend or prolapse into the vaginal canal. This can cause a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis, as well as potential symptoms like difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels, urinary urgency, or a bulge in the vaginal area.

3. Reduced sexual satisfaction: The pelvic floor muscles play a role in sexual function by providing support and contributing to orgasmic contractions. Weakness in these muscles may lead to decreased sexual sensation, pain during intercourse, or difficulty achieving orgasm.

4. Pelvic pain: In some cases, weak pelvic floor muscles can contribute to chronic pelvic pain. This pain may be experienced in the pelvic region, lower back, or hips.

5. Impact on posture and stability: The pelvic floor muscles work together with other core muscles to provide stability to the pelvis and spine. Weakness in these muscles can affect posture and lead to issues such as lower back pain or instability.

You won't always know. Sometimes you will have more obvious symptoms such as pain or stress incontinence, but other times you may show no outward signs. You may not realise it is weak until you start exercising and risk causing injury to yourself if you start a new exercise routine without strengthening the Pelvic Floor first.

Child birth and pregnancy can both effect your pelvic floor. Pregnancy can add extra weight onto your pelvic floor therefore weakening it and causing incontinence issues.

A Women’s Physiotherapist specialises in Women’s’ health i.e Pelvic floor issues from Pre and Post natal, Menopause issues, Ab separation and Hip issues.

You can not always feel the weakness in your pelvic floor. An internal examination will help pin point if you have weakness, how severe it is and therefore help to diagnose what needs to be one to repair it. If you go back into exercise without addressing your pelvic floor then it can lead to complications and further damage to other areas further down the line.

That all depends on if you exercised before having a child, what your birth was like, if much damage was caused and if you work with the Physio to help yourself repair. In saying all that around 3 session is about average.

Yes - We work with Katherine Cowen and highly recommend her.