Benefits of pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and are an important component of a woman's general health throughout her life. The more you use them the stronger they will be.

In pregnancy, having a toned pelvic floor will:

	Help your body deal with supporting the weight of your growing baby.
	Reduce the incidence of stress incontinence when you cough, laugh or sneeze.
	Enable your pelvic floor muscle to recover more quickly after the birth of your baby.
	Lay down a body memory when you release the pulling up of the pelvic floor and relax by letting go of these muscles, which is what you need to do when pushing your baby out.
	Help with preventing or relieving haemorrhoids and vulval varicose veins.

After the birth, pelvic floor exercises will:

	Help your pelvic floor return back to normal so it can support your internal organs.
	Prevent stress incontinence, or urine leaking when you cough, laugh or sneeze.
	Reduce your need to go to the toilet frequently.
	Help with the healing process of any tears or stitches.
	Help with treating haemorrhoids.
	Increase your vaginal tone and sexual sensation, as well as reducing pain or discomfort caused by the internal organs not being supported

Updated November 2007

Information sources

Stables D. and Rankin J. Physiology in Childbearing with Anatomy and Related Biosciences. 2004, Bailliere Tindall, Edinburgh.

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