Edgy Mama: Do yourself a huge favor, strengthen those pelvic floor muscles

This is one of those subjects that moms rarely discuss, but we should. Regaining the strength of your pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy and birth can mean the difference between urine-soaked and dry underwear. It also can mean the difference between a mediocre and an intergalactic sex life.

As you’ve already guessed, this is a “NSFD” column (that’s “Not Safe for Dad”). As in my dad. It’s not R-rated, but if reading about body parts that typically are hidden under clothing makes you squeamish, stop reading now.

For those of you still reading, moms (and spouses of moms who want to support them), we’re talking about how to transform those pelvic floor muscles into bands of steel.

Because, for a lot of women, pregnancy and childbirth cause these muscles to sink and sag. They supported the weight of a baby for a couple months, and then had to stretch radically to release that bundle of baby. For some of us, this trauma occurred more than once.

The result? Most of us have some incontinence just after birthing. Sometimes, it can last longer than a few weeks — for months, or even years. In most cases, the more severe incontinence becomes just the occasional leak when we sneeze, laugh hard or run. That can last for years as well — for long after those muscles should have healed. I have one friend who says she’s ruined entire outfits with an ill-timed sneeze. Which can be particularly embarrassing in public.

I hear that even if you haven’t given birth, those muscles can lose elasticity with age.

So what to do, ladies? We heal ourselves. You’ve heard of Kegel exercises. They definitely help. Kegels, named, I’m sure, for Dr. Kegel, are performed simply by contracting and relaxing those muscles. If you’re not sure how to contract them, simply stick something inside and squeeze (your finger or other non-toxic instrument works). Then repeat.

Doctors recommend women perform at least three sets of ten Kegels per day. That may not seem like a lot, but many of us have trouble remembering to do them. I’ve heard moms say they try to remember to Kegel at stoplights or while brushing their teeth.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found a personal Kegel formula mnemonic. So I’m going to advocate a tool I have tried. Something that’s easier to remember, because it’s less work and feels good. Yes, I’m offering you freedom from accidents, pleasure, and a better sex life (and potentially keeping you from having surgery involving bladder pinning — which sounds unpleasant). And no one’s paying me to give you this gift. Well, Mountain Xpress will pay me for this column, but no sex toy companies have approached, wooed or gifted me.

So, here’s what every postpartum mom needs (once she’s healed from childbirth). It’s what every woman who is sneeze-wary or belly-laugh-wary needs. They’re called Kegel exercise balls or Ben Wa balls (yep, the Japanese have been using them for hundreds of years). You can buy them online, without even having to visit a sex shop. Although I don’t understand why Kegel exercise balls aren’t sold in pharmacies and health supply stores. To my mind, they’re physical therapy devices. Doctors and midwifes recommend them regularly.

They rock. You insert them just as you would a tampon (I prefer the silicone-coated massage/Kegel balls, which also have a handy removal loop, unlike the more traditional Ben Wa balls, which consist of two unconnected, cordless stainless steel spheres).

After insertion, you go about your day. You can wear them for a few minutes or a few hours. They work by vibrating or rolled against each other, which signals the pelvic muscles that something needs to be held onto, thus training them to contract.

You can walk around at work or run errands or cook dinner, and no one but you will know that you’re sporting your own set of balls. The benefit to strengthening these muscles goes beyond protecting your clothes from urine spurts. Strength in that area of a woman’s body typically improves things in the bedroom as well. For everyone involved. 

I know you ladies have always wanted your own balls. Go get some.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

16 thoughts on “Edgy Mama: Do yourself a huge favor, strengthen those pelvic floor muscles

  1. Piffy!

    I’m not sure which was edgier:

    [b]simply stick something inside and squeeze[/b]

    or

    [b]I know you ladies have always wanted your own balls. Go get some. [/b]

    But either way, i wish i hadnt read that! :-)

  2. tatuaje

    Piffy, as a new dad, I’d think you, and your SO, would be grateful for this knowledge.

  3. magneticfield

    could you list some good sources for this equipment? there seems to be a lot of sources and different styles; what do you recommend?

  4. Piffy!

    Sorry, i DID see the NSFD warning, but I’m new at this, so i forgot it might apply to me.

  5. Sweeet!

    Now I know what to get the wife for our 5th year anniversary. Her own set of balls. Thanks Edgy Mama!! Best article EVER!

  6. www.projecthappilyeverafter.com

    This was so tame. I started kegeling as I read. Thanks for the reminder!

Leave a Reply to Dia ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.