Resources for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Pregnancy

Childbirth Connection's Pregnancy Topic on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

• Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction introduction discusses concerns about effects of various labor and birth interventions on pelvic floor dysfunction
  
• Options for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction has subpages that look at the impact of vaginal birth in comparison with cesarean section, as well as the effect of several obstetric interventions: electronic fetal monitoring, epidural analgesia, pushing position and technique, staff pressure on your abdomen, vacuum extraction and forceps, and episiotomy
  
• Best Evidence for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction includes a look at preventing pelvic floor dysfunction, including the impact of many maternity practices and effects of kegel exercises and other approaches to prevention and treatment
• Tips & Tools for Pelvice Floor Dysfunction describes the many actions you can take in pregnancy, when giving birth, and throughout life to prevent or resolve pelvic floor problems.
  

Other Childbirth Connection Resources to Help You Prevent Pelvic Floor Problems When Giving Birth

• Cesarean section, an in-depth pregnancy topic that helps you understand all of the trade-offs that are involved in having a cesarean as opposed to a vaginal birth
• Advice for Women About Avoiding Routine Episiotomy, our advice to women about how to avoid routine episiotomy
  
• What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section (free PDF), with summaries on pages 7 and 28 to help you prevent pelvic floor problems
• Choosing a Caregiver, an in-depth Pregnancy Topic to help with a crucial decision that greatly affects your likelihood of experiencing many maternity interventions, due to the broad range of practice styles among caregivers
• Choosing a Birth Setting, an in-depth Pregnancy Topic for help with an important decision that goes hand-in-hand with choosing a caregiver (and practice style can also vary greatly from one place of birth to another)
• Cascade of Intervention, which shows how one intervention often leads to others that are used to monitor, prevent or treat the side effects

Resources for Common Interventions and Pelvic-Floor-Friendly Comfort Measures, Pushing Positions and Other Labor Strategies

The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (1994), by William Sears and Martha Sears. (See chapters 5, 11-12.) In this helpful resource guide, the Searses cover the gamut of possibilities, and teach readers what they need to know to take control of their own birthings. The Birth Book is divided into three parts: "Preparing for Birth," "Easing Pain in Labor," and "Experiencing Birth." You'll find details about vaginal births; cesareans; VBACs; water births; home births; best birthing positions; drugs; pain; how to design your own birth plan; the humor, chemistry, and sexuality of birth; and pages and pages of birth stories. Chapter 3 is especially relevant to choosing your birth setting. Learn more about The Birth Book from Amazon

The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions (3rd edition, 2008), by Penny Simkin. (See especially chapters 3-4, 6.) Wise resource to help your spouse/partner, friend or another companion give you the special and powerful gift of continuous support as you give birth. Includes many labor "comfort measures" and strategies for difficult labors that can make all the difference for you. Learn more about The Birth Partner from Amazon

Get Through Childbirth in One Piece! How to Prevent Episiotomies and Tearing (2001), by Elizabeth Bruce. Using only the latest research, Elizabeth Bruce, MA, CCE, shows you how to take responsibility for your own birth. Helpful subjects include: proven advice for avoiding perineal damage before, during, and after delivery; why a tear is preferable to an episiotomy; optimal positioning for delivery; the benefits of waterbirth, doulas, and midwives; how to choose a good care provider; building your confidence to birth; and inspiring stories from real women who have birthed babies, large and small, with their perineums intact Learn more about Get Through Childbirth in One Piece! from Amazon

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, (1999), by Henci Goer. (See chapters 5, 7-9.) Learn more about The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth from Amazon

Picture Showing How the Muscles, Bones and Major Openings (Sphincters) are Arranged Within Your Pelvic Floor

Pelvic Floor Anatomy

Picture Showing Location of Episiotomy Cuts

Episiotomy Technique

Pictures and Learning More About Assisted Delivery with Vacuum Extraction or Forceps

Resources and Advice About Kegels and Other Pelvic Exercises, Prenatal Perineal Massage, and Pushing During Childbirth

The Female Pelvis: Anatomy & Exercises (2003), by Blandine Calais-Germain. The book begins with a description of the functional anatomy of the pelvis, & how it responds to pregnancy & childbirth. This is followed by a series of specific exercises, initially for self-discovery, & then to increase the flexibility, strength, & coordination of the pelvic functions. Learn more about The Female Pelvis from Amazon