Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a good idea for several reasons:
It helps strengthen and improve the function of weakened pelvic floor muscles after childbirth.
It can prevent or treat urinary and fecal incontinence.
It may help prevent or manage pelvic organ prolapse.
It can improve sexual function.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation is generally recommended early in the postpartum period. It is advisable to start soon after birth initially focusing on short muscle squeezes to promote blood flow and aid healing. Once the new mother has recovered from the birthing process, more specific exercises can be introduced. Given that time is limited for new mothers, the time spent exercising must be effective.
Recent studies have shown that Real-Time Ultrasound can be beneficial for pelvic floor rehabilitation. It is an excellent tool for improving coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. Ultrasound imaging allows mothers to visualize their pelvic floor muscles, helping them better understand and enhance their muscle control. The procedure is non invasive, with scanning carried out on the abdomen (similar to a baby scan) enabling the physiotherapist and the new mother to comfortably discuss how the pelvic floor is functioning and identify ways to improve it.
