It’s never too early to start prenatal pelvic floor exercises.
5 Likes
You might see if you can get a referral to a pelvic floor PT. There’s a lot of stuff we accept as “normal” like leakage after pregnancy that PT can actually fix and we shouldn’t have to live with! I have no idea how much they can help during pregnancy but I think it would be really nice to have some of that support. Bonus that they can probably give tips on anything that might help going into labor. I think @Ckni27 worked with a pelvic floor physical therapist during pregnancy?
I only worked with one after when I was having a lot of pain having sex at 8 weeks pp and it was SO SO helpful. 10/10 would recommend, everyone should have at least one appt with a pelvic floor PT postpartum in my opinion.
6 Likes
Thanks @nickybecky1 – I’m filing this tip away for future ref. So helpful to know what should and shouldn’t be long-term side effects.
2 Likes
I did work with a pelvic floor PT prior to and after becoming pregnant (also after! So just like all the time basically). She helped with my terrible periods before, there is a nonzero chance she helped me be able to conceive, and afterward I got help with recovering from birth.
Pain with sex, pain in general, leakage, etc are all not normal and can totally be helped by a good women’s health PT. You do not have to deal with this kind of stuff. I saw results so quickly and it is very very worth it.
4 Likes
Yes! Let us sing the praises of the wonderful pelvic floor & women’s health PTs who are magical beings! My work with them (several over several years, because I had some big muscle issues to sort out) led to conceiving, few pee problems during, much shorter push time during labour and way better recovery after. Magic.
Until you can see one, @Greyweld, use period pads to catch the pee. Kegels are the well known exercise to do, but it’s hard to get the muscle engagement right and also let the muscles relax after, unless you’ve had someone show you and give tips on how to tell if you’re doing it right in person.
4 Likes
Also my hair is very thick. Thanks pregnancy hormones, this is lovely and all, but I know you’ll give me thin hair after and right now it’s hard to see a hairdresser. Couldn’t we have normal hair all the way through?
2 Likes
Yes, knowing what a proper Kegel feels like and how to relax is v important. Sometimes peeing problems can be caused by too much tightness rather than not enough.
It’s amazing how much effect just breathing can have too.
3 Likes
I bit the bullet and cut my own hair last week! I figured now that I’m pregnant, I’m not going to feel as comfortable maybe seeing someone for it. Mr. NB was quite skeptical but very impressed so this afternoon we’re doing a new year’s haircut for him as soon as I finish scarfing popcorn snack/second lunch.
We have determined that my body is definitely making visible pregnancy related changes already (7 weeks). I am starting to look pregnant although my weight has barely changed and my boobs already have some colostrum! Texted one of my friends about this and she was all, “oooh your body remembers and it is PUMPED!” It’s nice to not have to hide it from anyone or try to squeeze into clothes at work since I’m working 100% remote.
4 Likes
I mean my pelvic floor has always been piss poor (HA I’m funny), and I’ve tried to do kegels but I’m a) undisciplined and b) am probably not doing it right.
1 Like
(gasp May due date buddy???)
2 Likes
Not sure if constantly, slowly peeing… Or just have a “WAP” as the kids say…
2 Likes
Ooooh yeah discharge increases a TON in pregnancy. Helps prevent bacterial infections supposedly. Panty liners are the WAY. And gross, but smell it to tell the difference between pee and discharge.
4 Likes
Third factor (for me, at least): being sweatier.
3 Likes
Ooh! Yep. I have no idea how far along anyone is though so didn’t realize it.
But my last one is a May baby who was supposed to be a June baby with the same number date so I’m not too connected to May as an idea.
4 Likes
I’m expecting my March baby to arrive anywhere between mid-Feb and mid-March.
2 Likes
If my husband is any indication, if they still let women go way late my due May 10 baby could be a June baby… I’m glad that they won’t let that happen.
1 Like
I was convinced I’d go late bc both my sister and I were late but my birth was basically exactly what my husband had - 37 w 3d, born in under 7 hours from my water breaking. His younger sister was born in just 2 hrs so I’m definitely a bit freaked out about precipitous birtb with this one…
4 Likes
My labour with my first was the same as my mum’s with me, so it can go either way, if that’s helpful!
I am at risk for precipitous labour this time and I’m wondering how to get some of the nice sounding things like a shower during labour, music, a bit of labouring at home etc. I was feeling pretty down about it this week as a friend is going through the family birth centre here and it just sounds so nice (except for being discharged 4 hours later, I quite liked my stay in the maternity ward).
Now that I’ve surfaced from feeling bummed about my choice to go through the private hospital system with an OB, I’m thinking I’ll plan on making time for all those nice things once I’m 36 weeks and then I get to have lots of time listening to nice music and bathing, and labour can go however it does without me “missing out”. I guess it’s the pre-baby pampering I’m really hoping for. I doubt any of that feels like pampering during labour, but I don’t have any idea what early labour normally feels like.
4 Likes
Oh I think your plan sounds lovely! What a great way to work that in!
I did get to labor in a tub and it was nicer than laboring out of it but nothing at all like a soak. Maybe if contractions were further apart but mine were so close together (as were yours I’m guessing if you’re at risk of a precipitous birth) that there wasn’t any breath catching. Is it possible If now that you know you’re coming in hot you could arrive at the hospital and get immediately into the shower? Maybe they won’t make you spend time in triage given your history?
For that pre-birth pampering, highly recommend an inexpensive, warm colored waterproof nightlight that taps on and off like https://www.vava.com/products/vava-baby-night-light
I bought it for breastfeeding and because the midwife last go said the lighting for labor in the tub was not ideal. I used it for both those things and now for my own soaks. We have a second they’re so useful and my husband is currently using one with the bluer light setting as a cheap alternative to a ring light for video calls.
4 Likes
Ooh thank you for this link! I will definitely order one or find something local, what a good idea.
I am very lucky they don’t make mothers wait in triage at my hospital, straight to the maternity suite, or I might’ve worried some people! My labour was just too intense from the start to use any options (I couldn’t stand to get in the shower) so I know the only way to get any of it is beforehand. And as much as I love the idea of delivering in a comfy, at-home type environment, I am not going to notice any of the “hospital-ness” once I’m there (my biggest memory is looking at Ponder sleeping on a couch and cuddling Duckling on that couch in the delivery room). At least I’m unlikely to worry about changing midwives due to a shift change?
2 Likes