The postpartum period is a time when a woman's body undergoes great changes, which includes relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. This may seem like a common problem, but it can affect a woman's quality of life and physical health. In this article, we will delve into the importance of postpartum pelvic floor muscles and how to reshape and tighten the pelvic floor through pelvic floor rehabilitation to help postpartum women regain their confidence and lead healthier lives.
The importance of pelvic floor muscles
The pelvic floor muscles are one of the most important supporting tissues in the human body, which not only supports the organs, but also participates in the function of urine control, sexual function, and birth canal. Especially for postpartum women, the health of the pelvic floor muscles is essential for physical recovery and quality of life.
Controls bladder function
The pelvic floor muscles are key to maintaining bladder function. It supports the bladder and urethra, helps to control the discharge of urine, and avoids problems such as urinary incontinence. Postpartum pelvic floor muscle relaxation may lead to decreased urine control and an increased risk of urinary incontinence.
Maintain sexual function
The pelvic floor muscles also have an important impact on sexual function. They support the pelvic organs and play an important role during sexual intercourse. Loose pelvic floor muscles may lead to problems such as painful intercourse and loss of libido, affecting the quality of life of couples.
Supporting organs
The pelvic floor muscles support organs such as the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum. During pregnancy and childbirth, these organs are subjected to tremendous stress, and the relaxation of pelvic floor muscles can lead to problems such as organ prolapse, affecting physical health and quality of life.
The importance of pelvic floor muscles cannot be overlooked, especially for postpartum women. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help postpartum women reshape and tighten the pelvic floor, improve urine control, sexual function, and quality of life. Let's pay attention to pelvic floor health and rebuild a confident life!
Causes of postpartum pelvic floor muscle relaxation
Physiological changes: During pregnancy and childbirth, hormone levels in women change significantly. An increase in progesterones, such as progesterone and estrogen, especially in the third trimester, causes the pelvic floor musculature to be more relaxed. In addition, during childbirth, the birth canal is subjected to tremendous pressure and traction, which causes the tone of the pelvic floor muscles to weaken, which tends to cause muscle relaxation.
Labor stress: Childbirth is an extremely challenging process, with both uterine contractions and the baby's head passing through the birth canal putting tremendous stress on the pelvic floor muscles. Especially in the second stage of labor, when the baby's head passes through the pelvis, the pelvic floor muscles will be stretched and stressed, and the muscles in a long-term state of tension will be fatigued and relaxed.
Fetal head through the pelvis: During labor, the passage of the fetal head through the pelvis causes stretching and pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, making the muscle tissue prone to relaxation. In particular, squeezing and stretching during labor are more likely to cause fatigue and relaxation of muscle tissue.
Weight gain: During pregnancy, a woman's weight gain can increase the burden on her pelvic floor muscles, especially in the third trimester. Weight gain increases the tension in the pelvic floor muscles, and prolonged weight bearing can cause the muscles to relax.
Sedentary: During postpartum rehabilitation, many women are sedentary and lack exercise due to physical and psychological reasons. Being sedentary causes the pelvic floor muscles to relax for long periods of time, making it easier for the muscles to relax.
Lack of exercise: Postpartum women may experience a lack of exercise due to reasons such as busy lives and physical fatigue. Lack of exercise can lead to pelvic floor muscles not being exercised and being in a state of relaxation for a long time.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation methods
Eat a balanced diet: Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for the recovery of your pelvic floor muscles. A proper nutritional structure can help restore the tone and function of the pelvic floor muscles.
Moderate exercise: Moderate exercise can effectively improve the relaxation of pelvic floor muscles. Such as walking, yoga, swimming, etc. are all good choices. Exercise builds strength and tone in the pelvic floor muscles and aids in healing.
Pelvic floor muscle training: Pelvic floor muscle training is key to recovery. Kegel exercises are a simple yet effective pelvic floor muscle training method that can help improve the tone and control of your pelvic floor muscles.
Rehabilitation equipment assistance: Some pelvic floor rehabilitation equipment, such as pelvic floor muscle trainers, can help strengthen the training effect of pelvic floor muscles and accelerate the rehabilitation process.
Pay attention to posture: Pay attention to maintaining correct posture in daily life and avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. Proper posture can reduce the adverse effects on the pelvic floor muscles and help with recovery.
Avoid weight bearing: Avoid carrying heavy objects during rehabilitation to reduce the load on your pelvic floor muscles. Weight-bearing can increase pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which is not conducive to recovery.
Medical treatment: For severe pelvic floor muscle relaxation, medical treatment such as physical therapy, pelvic floor rehabilitation surgery, etc. can be considered. Medical treatment can help speed up the recovery process and improve the function of the pelvic floor muscles.
The above methods can help postpartum women effectively improve the problem of pelvic floor muscle relaxation, reshape and tighten the pelvic floor, and improve the quality of life. In the process of rehabilitation, it is necessary to maintain patience and persistence, and cooperate with the guidance of doctors and rehabilitation experts in order to achieve good rehabilitation results.