What is my pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span the bottom of your pelvis.  These muscles play an important role in:

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• Childbirth

• Bowel and bladder continence

• Pelvic organ support

• Sexual function and enjoyment

 

 

What can go wrong with my pelvic floor?

Just like any muscle in the body, the pelvic floor muscles can be too tight or too loose which can cause symptoms such as urinary or bowel leakage, pain with sex or exercise, difficulty emptying your bladder and constipation, to name a few.  These symptoms can appear or be exacerbated by pregnancy. The pelvic floor muscles are also vulnerable to injury during childbirth.  Often simple treatment techniques and exercises can alleviate symptoms, however if not addressed symptoms can persist and even get worse over time.

 

Why does my pelvic floor need preparation?

In order to carry our babies in our womb and bring them into this world, our pelvic floors need to be in good working order.  In other words, they need to be strong to support the growing weight of our babies and be supple and compliant so our babies can pass through.  Pelvic floor education and preparation will teach you where these muscles are, how to engage and relax them, and how to work with your breath and your other deep core muscles to develop their full range of motion to prepare you (and them) for the push of your life.

 

Why would my pelvic floor need therapy?

Regardless of how well you have prepared your pelvic floor, it goes through a major feat when your baby is delivered and like any muscle that has been injured or overworked, we need to take care of it and heal it.  In pelvic floor therapy we will address any scarring if tears occurred or in the case of cesarean delivery, we will work on reconnecting to your pelvic floor muscles and re-strengthening them we will address inner core strength and closing of diastasis recti (the separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy) and we will address any lingering pelvic, back and/or hip pain.

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I have never given birth or had my babies many years ago, is pelvic floor therapy still right for me?

Yes, yes, and yes! There are many issues that can arise in women who have never had babies that can be managed and improved through pelvic floor therapy.  If you had children years ago and are still experiencing symptoms or have reached menopause and have new symptoms, pelvic floor therapy can absolutely help.

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How can I start pelvic floor therapy?

Request a prescription for occupational therapy from your healthcare provider to address your pelvic floor concerns, then contact Abby at 319.929.1224 or motherloverot@gmail.com.  All sessions will take place in the privacy and comfort of your own home.