The importance of the pelvic floor

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The Pelvic Floor is a fan shape multi-layered muscle that supports all of our abdominal organs against gravity.  In women, the muscle structure is built around the anal sphincter, urethra and vagina and is therefore physiologically weaker than in men.

This part of the body is normally taken for granted and we have little awareness of its anatomy and complexity. We associate its functions with our elimination process i.e. a very fundamental and automated bodily process. We only exercise our control over it when having to suppress a natural urge at an inconvenient time and place.

However developing Pelvic Floor awareness is paramount to a shorter and gentler labour with much reduced chance of tearing. Along with getting your body fit for labour, and practicing the breathing exercises that will help control your mind and pace your stamina, this is the one most important exercise for a healthy delivery.

There are amazing birth stories that demonstrate how being able to relax consciously the pelvic floor resulted in shorter first stage labour and amazingly quick second stage with no tearing. With more body awareness of the pelvic floor, and perineum, will come a better understanding of how the sphincters work and perhaps more awareness of the vagina all the way to the opening of the cervix.

With more tactile sensations, you will be able during the birth to feel the baby make its way down the birth canal and control the last push slowly while the baby is gently pushed out and released millimeter by millimeter. You will be aware of the muscle stretching without tearing.

You may also want to look for visualization exercises for birth preparation that will help visualize and stimulate the opening of the cervix and relaxing the pelvic floor and perineum.

During your prenatal classes, no doubt there has been a section discussing the paramount importance of this topic. If you find that you are not sure how to carry out pelvic floor exercises then do consult your teacher, midwife or doctor during your prenatal sessions.

Tags: pelvic floor, pelvic position