What is the big deal about Kegel exercise? Does it work? What is normal when it comes to leaking?
What if I told you that 1 in 3.5 women who deliver vaginally, leak? And that once you hit the ripe old age of 30, that number increases to 1 in 3.
And then I told you that although you may have 1, 2, 3 4 or even 10 kids, it’s not normal??
It doesn’t matter that your mom leaked and your sisters leak and maybe even your besties – because there’s a pretty good chance they do too.
The fact of the matter is that if at ANY time you even lose a (drop) of urine without sitting on the toilet and without your consent, that is incontinence and is a disruption of a basic bodily function.
“But it only happens when I’m on the trampoline with my kids or if I come down with a hacking cough”.
Blah blah blah.
Not to minimize your efforts for making light of what most would admit is a “smelly” problem. But when people would rather put on a panty-liner and giggle about the fact that they can’t giggle unless they cross their legs, there is a serious problem that has to be addressed.
Case in point; Although leaking, dripping (whether a little or a lot) maybe be common, it is NOT normal.
If you are leaking now, what do you think is going to happen 5, 10 or 20 years down the road? Do you want to wear a diaper when you’re fifty? Not so funny anymore now is it?
Your pelvic floor muscles are just that; muscles and have a big role in not just maintain continence but supporting your uterine organs. Hence why the thought of a new mom signing up for a bootcamp class makes me cringe.
What are Kegels? They are pelvic floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, consists of repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor, now sometimes referred to as the "Kegel muscles". Kegels are just a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned and should be part of every woman’s healthy lifestyle. We spend so much time working out to look our best and forget one the basic necessity to our foundation.
Because I bet no one would argue that smelling like pee sure ain’t sexy, now is it?
Who’s kegeling now?
Samantha Montpetit-Huynh, Owner and Founder of Core Expectations, Samantha specializes in pre & postnatal exercise training for busy moms with little time. Over the years she has helped numerous women maintain strength and energy during their pregnancies and supported them through challenging postpartum periods.
