Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor: Exercises for Better Bladder Control and Overall Health
Quick Answer
YES, pelvic floor exercises can significantly improve bladder control and overall health for mothers! If you're experiencing urine leakage (hassi aane pe peshab nikalna) after pregnancy, you're not alone - up to 50% of women face this. The good news is that regular Kegel exercises can strengthen these muscles and restore control within weeks. It's never too late to start!
Why Pelvic Floor Strength Matters
Watch: Are you doing these exercises with your baby? Is your baby enjoying?
Pelvic Floor Functions:
Controls bladder (prevents leakage)
Supports pelvic organs
Controls bowel movements
Affects intimate sensation
Supports spine and posture
Common Problems from Weak Pelvic Floor:
Stress incontinence (leaking when laughing, coughing, sneezing)
Urge incontinence (sudden strong urge to urinate)
Pelvic organ prolapse (organs dropping)
Reduced intimate satisfaction
Lower back pain
Why This Happens to Mothers
Causes of Weak Pelvic Floor:
Cause
How It Affects Pelvic Floor
Pregnancy
Baby's weight stretches muscles
Vaginal delivery
Muscles stretched during birth
C-section
Pregnancy weight still weakens muscles
Multiple pregnancies
Cumulative effect
Hormonal changes
After delivery and during menopause
Aging
Natural muscle weakening
Obesity
Extra weight strains muscles
Chronic constipation
Straining damages muscles
Heavy lifting
Incorrect lifting strains floor
Quick Exercise Guide
Finding Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
Method 1: Next time you urinate, try to stop the flow midstream. Those muscles are your pelvic floor. (Only do this to identify - don't practice regularly while urinating.)
Method 2: Imagine you're stopping gas from passing. The squeeze you feel is your pelvic floor.
Basic Kegel Exercises
Exercise 1: Long Squeezes
Squeeze pelvic floor muscles
Hold for 5-10 seconds
Release slowly for 5 seconds
Rest 5 seconds
Repeat 10 times
Exercise 2: Quick Pulses
Squeeze quickly
Release immediately
Repeat 10 times fast
Rest and repeat
Daily Routine:
Morning: 10 long squeezes + 10 quick pulses
Afternoon: Same
Evening: Same
Total: 3 sets daily
When to Worry (Red Flags)
Contact your doctor if you notice:
Complete loss of bladder control
No improvement after 8 weeks of exercises
Heaviness or bulging in vagina
Pain during exercises
Blood in urine
Difficulty emptying bladder
Bowel control issues
Worsening symptoms despite exercises
What You Can Do
Start Exercises:
Begin gently, especially after delivery
Be consistent - daily practice matters
Increase duration and repetitions gradually
Can do anywhere - cooking, watching TV, in auto
Lifestyle Changes:
Maintain healthy weight
Treat constipation (eat fiber, drink water)
Lift correctly (engage pelvic floor, bend knees)
Avoid high-impact exercises initially
Quit smoking (chronic cough strains muscles)
Good Habits:
Don't hold urine for too long
Don't strain during bowel movements
Stay hydrated but not excessively before bed
Empty bladder before exercise
Timeline for Improvement
Week
What to Expect
1-2
Learning to identify muscles correctly
2-4
Starting to feel some control
4-6
Noticeable improvement in symptoms
6-8
Significant improvement for most women
3+ months
Full strength if consistent
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Delivery ke baad peshab control nahi ho raha - kya yeh permanent hai?
A: No, it's not permanent for most women! Urinary incontinence after delivery is very common but usually improves with exercises. Start Kegels as soon as you're comfortable after delivery. Most women see significant improvement within 6-8 weeks of consistent daily practice. If it doesn't improve, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help.
Q: Can I do pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy?
A: Yes! Pelvic floor exercises are safe and beneficial during pregnancy. They help support the growing baby's weight, prepare for delivery, and reduce risk of incontinence after birth. Start early in pregnancy and continue throughout. Just be gentle and stop if you feel discomfort.
Q: How do I know if I'm doing Kegels correctly?
A: You're doing them correctly if you feel a squeeze and lift sensation. You should NOT be squeezing your buttocks, thighs, or holding your breath. To check: insert a clean finger into vagina and squeeze - you should feel pressure around your finger. If unsure, ask for a pelvic floor physiotherapy referral.
Q: Mere saas kehti hain ki yeh sab apne aap theek ho jata hai - is that true?
A: Some mild issues may improve on their own, but don't rely on this! Active exercise gives much better results than waiting. Women who do pelvic floor exercises after delivery have significantly better bladder control than those who don't. Starting exercises early prevents long-term problems that can worsen with age and future pregnancies.
Q: I had a C-section - do I still need pelvic floor exercises?
A: Yes! Even with C-section, your pelvic floor muscles supported your baby's weight throughout pregnancy, which weakens them. Many C-section mothers experience bladder issues too. Pelvic floor exercises are important for all mothers, regardless of delivery method.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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