I had been wondering about what sort of state my pelvic floor was in after my birth 9 weeks ago. I returned to hockey the other week, as my beloved hockey team were a little short on numbers. I talked to the coach about returning on ‘light duties’, he was very understanding. I pulled up quite sore after the game. It was just the usual muscle soreness, but understandable after having 9 months away from the sport.
It got me thinking about my pelvic floor. Everything felt ok, but was I being responsible by returning to vigorous exercise so quickly? After my first baby, I was back on the field 5 weeks after her birth. I had been extremely fit through my first pregnancy, and had even completed a gym session 2 days before she was born. Maisie was a tiny 2.5kg when she was born, and I bounced back to health quickly. With my second baby Matilda, the pregnancy was far harder and I struggled with having enough energy and motivation to keep up my level of fitness. My recovery has definitely been longer this time.
We are lucky to have a specialised woman’s health physiotherapist in our small country town. There were no excuses not to go for a check up and advise. She was able to give me a program and some advise for my rehabilitation after my birth for returning to fitness. After 9 months of pregnancy, along with child birth can take its toll. The pelvic floor which is made up of a group of muscles is stretched, and some women experience trauma to their pelvic floor during birth. My physio explained that rehabilitation was essential before returning to exercise, especially returning to a high intensity sport like netball or hockey.
So whilst pelvic floor exercises can be repetitive and boring, they are important! My physio gave me a plan to build up my pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and cardiovascular fitness. It has been so wonderful to get in some vitamin D and fresh air, walking with the two little ones. I look forward to sharing my journey of returning to fitness with you.
Vee x
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