Pelvic floor training & pregnancy

During or after pregnancy, your body changes. Although these changes are natural, some – including the effects on the pelvic floor – can be particularly unpleasant. One example is “leaking” when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise. Pregnancy puts strain on the pelvic floor. Targeted training can help strengthen it before and after pregnancy.

Note: This guide does not replace medical advice or diagnosis.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and bowel. As the uterus grows, it puts more pressure on these muscles. Pregnancy hormones also loosen the tissue to prepare your body for birth. This can weaken the pelvic floor and lead to problems such as incontinence. The pelvic floor can also sustain temporary damage during vaginal delivery.

Around two in three women notice negative effects on how their pelvic floor functions during or after pregnancy, such as incontinence [3]. This connection has long been known, but interest in and awareness of it have increased significantly, especially in recent years.

One reason is that urinary incontinence as a medical condition has entered public awareness. Another is that more and more obstetric professionals are faced with requests for a C-section due to fear of pelvic floor damage [2]. Targeted pelvic floor training can help strengthen the muscles before and after pregnancy.

Pelvic floor training before, during, and after pregnancy has a positive effect on preventing incontinence. [4]. A well-trained pelvic floor can make childbirth easier and shorten the recovery period afterward. Training can also help you prevent incontinence and stay in control of your bladder.

Before pregnancy and around six to eight weeks after giving birth, you can use the most effective method of pelvic floor training: 22-minute sessions on the MyPelvi chair. This chair uses magnetic waves to trigger up to 25,000 muscle contractions per session. The magnetic waves stimulate the nerve network of your pelvic floor, reaching even the deepest muscle layers, without any effort on your part. While you lean back on the chair in your everyday clothes and enjoy some time to yourself, the impulses do the work for you and strengthen your pelvic floor.

The MyPelvi chair is not used during pregnancy — pregnancy is a contraindication for magnetic field therapy. Gentle manual exercises are beneficial during pregnancy; the MyPelvi chair is used before and after pregnancy. Discuss with your midwife which exercises are right for you now, and with MyPelvi's trained professionals when it is time to begin pelvic floor training after your pregnancy.

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You can train your pelvic floor during pregnancy, although pelvic floor training with magnetic field therapy is not recommended. Gentle, manually performed pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles and prepare them for the strain that occurs during childbirth. Doctors and midwives can help you find the right training programme.

Pregnancy is a contraindication for magnetic field therapy on the MyPelvi chair. It is useful beforehand as preparation and from approx. six to eight weeks after giving birth for postnatal recovery.

The exact timing varies from person to person. Please discuss when to start with your doctor or midwife, especially after a C-section, perineal injury, or complications.

Ready to begin?Recovery after birth

A weak pelvic floor can manifest in the following ways. But do not worry, these symptoms can often be managed well with targeted training:

Incontinence: One of the most common signs is that you leak urine uncontrollably and “dribble”, particularly when coughing, laughing, sneezing or during physical activities.

A feeling of pressure in the pelvic area: Some women describe a feeling of heaviness or as though something is pressing downwards. This feeling can become stronger, especially at the end of the day.

Pelvic pain: A weak pelvic floor can cause other muscles to become overloaded, which can lead to pain in the pelvic area.

Pain during sex: A weak pelvic floor can also make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Some women report pain or reduced sensation.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it could be an indication that your pelvic floor needs support. But there is no need to worry! With targeted training such as the MyPelvi chair, you can strengthen your pelvic floor before pregnancy and after giving birth and regain control of your well-being. You can even strengthen your pelvic floor during pregnancy, although it is better to use gentle pelvic floor exercises without magnetic field therapy. If you have questions or are unsure about the best pelvic floor training, our specialists will be happy to help.

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In summary: It is never too late to start pelvic floor training! Even if you only start after giving birth, you can make significant progress and alleviate symptoms such as incontinence. It is a bit like exercise: the earlier you start, the better, but it is never too late to do something good for your body. Only during pregnancy should you consult experts and support your pelvic floor with gentle exercises.

Learn the right technique with guidance — free of charge at your MyPelvi studio.