Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy

[ArcaneAscent]

I recently read that I should be doing Kegel exercises to prepare for childbirth and also as a way to recover from it. I just started doing them about a week ago now, and I've mostly been trying to do as many reps as I can a day (when I remember) along with trying to hold when I flex sometimes.

I was wondering if the Kegel exercises have helped any other moms out there? I heard too that they can even be helpful in making intercourse more pleasurable (and even help women who struggle with orgasming to reach that climax during intercourse). Has anyone experienced this?

Also, I am hoping to have a natural birth with as little medication as possible and am attempting to study in the ways of a Bradley birth style. Therefore, I was curious if any moms had luck with Kegels making childbirth and the actual act of labor any better? I read that it can be more painful and difficult if you have weak Kegel muscles.

 

[k4th]

I had physio for spd during pregnancy & they advocates kegels for pregnancy fitness, labour & the recovery period. They never mentioned sex - but who would be that brave in a room full of heavily pregnant women??

They suggested that one easy way of doing lots was to bounce on a gym ball with feet hip width apart. The bounce engages your pelvic floor naturally.

I've had two labours with just gas & air. The first was hard & I hadn't done much exercise to prepare. The second was much easier & I'd done at least 20 mins of gym ball activity daily for months beforehand. My recovery has been much easier too. That might just be because it was my second, but it certainly didn't hurt any!!

I'd highly recommend a gym ball All the best for the rest of your pregnancy & I hope you get the birth experience you're hoping for

 

[ArcaneAscent]

I had physio for spd during pregnancy & they advocates kegels for pregnancy fitness, labour & the recovery period. They never mentioned sex - but who would be that brave in a room full of heavily pregnant women??

They suggested that one easy way of doing lots was to bounce on a gym ball with feet hip width apart. The bounce engages your pelvic floor naturally.

I've had two labours with just gas & air. The first was hard & I hadn't done much exercise to prepare. The second was much easier & I'd done at least 20 mins of gym ball activity daily for months beforehand. My recovery has been much easier too. That might just be because it was my second, but it certainly didn't hurt any!!

I'd highly recommend a gym ball All the best for the rest of your pregnancy & I hope you get the birth experience you're hoping for

This is great to know! I hadn't heard of using the gym ball before to naturally engage your pelvic floor muscles, but I could certainly see that being the case. I'll have to look into getting myself a gym ball, since that'd be helpful to have around the house.

Thank you so much for your kind words, and thanks also for the advice!