MOTHERING AND CAREGIVING.

Resources for the Pelvic Floor.

The pelvic floor is an intimate tissue, that contributes significantly to quality of life, shaping how comfortable one feels and how supported. The pelvic floor is comprised of muscular and connective tissues that is located a the base of the pelvis. Attaching to the pubic bone at the front, the coccyx or tail bone at the back and the sitting bones at the sides. It supports the function of the pelvic organs, helping to control the flow of urine and poo and maintains the position of these organs, and the uterus and vagina in females. Thus the function of the pelvic floor has an important impact on pelvic and organ heath and overall wellbeing.

During certain phases of life such as during pregnancy and childbirth the tissues of the pelvic floor have an increased susceptibility to alterations in function due to the weight of the growing baby and the forces and means of birth. However supporting and acknowledging the health of the pelvic floor is important throughout the lifespan in males and females. For those with a female hormonal cycle entering into menopause and the subsequent changes in hormonal levels can contribute pelvic floor alterations, though not always. Preventative awareness especially is useful for women entering this phase of life.

Conventionally the pelvic floor has been approached through targeted exercises that contract the pelvic floor known as Kegels. named after Arnold Kegel the gynecologist who invented the exercises but increasingly it is becoming known that a multidimensional approach to supporting pelvic health may provide deeper support to these tissues. One that considers overall mucusloskelteal health and posture, hormonal and emotional health, gut,urinanry and sexual health and physiological health.

Some suggested resources for pelvic floor health are noted below. If in doubt always seek professional advice from a relevant and acredited health professional who is familiar with your specific history.

Books.

Brockwell E, 2021, Why Did No One Tell Me? How to Protect Heal and Nurture Your Body Through Motherhood, Vermillion, London.

Grogan Dr Brianne, 2015, Lady Bits, Shine Press.

Podcasts.

At your cervix. Emma Rockwell.

The Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Association, in the UK.

https://pogp.csp.org.uk/information-patients

Increasingly hypopressive exercises and pilates are being utilised to support the function of the pelvic floor this is a relatively new approach with not yet much accrued data yet anecdotally positive.

11. Nov. 2024.

HELEN COUTTS