Your Core and Your Pelvic Floor

Your Core Did you know that the muscles of the pelvic floor are part of ‘your core’?  Many think of their ‘core’ as the low back and the abdominals which is true but really only a portion of the true ‘core’.  The core is made up of the Multifidus muscles in the back, the Transverse muscle around (think of a corset), the Diaphragm on top and the muscles of the Pelvic Floor on the bottom – together these muscle groups make up the core and partner to support and stabilize the pelvis and spine.  When one area is weak or not  ‘pulling its weight’ imbalances can occur which can lead to pain and/or dysfunction.  We participate in physical activity to exercise the muscles of our body but the pelvic floor is often neglected since many do not even realize there are muscles there to strengthen!  Learning how to fully and effectively work your core is critical to your overall fitness.  Regular strengthening exercises with the EPI-NO products will help build and maintain a strong pelvic floor contributing to a strong and fully functioning core that will carry you through all life’s stages.

Your Core in Pregnancy
Your body will face tremendous changes during pregnancy – you name it, you’ll experience it!  Let’s talk specifically about how your pregnancy will affect your core.  Your expanding uterus and growing baby can cause the low back to arch resulting in stretched and weakened muscles and low back pain.  Your belly will stretch and expand to accommodate the uterus and growing baby causing the abdominals to stretch, often resulting in separation of the rectus abdominus muscles known as diastasis recti.  The hammock-like muscles of the pelvic floor that provide support to the pelvic organs will need to work harder with the added responsibility of supporting the weight of the uterus and growing baby.  By strengthening your core during pregnancy your body will be able to support these and other changes of pregnancy, it will be stronger during delivery and it will recover more quickly post partum. 
The biofeedback function of the EPI-NO Delphine Plus enables you to monitor strength improvements as your pelvic floor muscles become stronger while also allowing you to see when the muscles relax which is essential when it comes time for the birth of your baby. 

Giving birth is hard work – many say it is like a ‘marathon’.  Would you run a marathon without training?  Pelvic Floor training with the EPI-NO and following the Maternal Fitness program will ensure that your core is strong enough to support you and the weight of your baby during pregnancy, that you are able to push your baby out effectively and that you are in a position to recover more quickly post partum.

Your Core Postpartum
After the birth of your baby your miraculous body will begin the process of returning to its pre-birth state.  With a strong core, you will recover more quickly, however rest and healing are of utmost importance so be sure not to rush.  Remember, the body has been stretched and weakened by the constant load it carried for 9 months as well as from the birth so it will take some time to repair.  You can start doing your Kegel’s as soon as 24 hours after delivery if you feel up to it – this will help heal the perineum (even a perineum that doesn’t tear still needs to heal) by bringing oxygen to the tissues, and will reduce the swelling and discomfort of hemroids.  After about 6 weeks, the EPI-NO Delphine Plus can once again be used as a compliment to your Kegel’s to regenerate tone and strength in your pelvic floor.