PELVIC FLOOR

The pelvic floor is a group of nerves and muscles located at the base of the pelvis. The nerves control the muscles, and the muscles form a basket-like “floor” that support the pelvic organs (you can engage the pelvic floor by bearing down as if you were having a bowel movement).

Connecting to the pelvic floor during pregnancy is especially important. And equally as important is strengthening and lengthening them which can aid in the progression of labor, postpartum physical healing, and reduction of incontinence and unwanted bladder leakage. Holding tension in pelvic floor can often result from both emotional and physical factors like high intensity exercising, psychological stress (common during pregnancy), and experiences of sexual trauma.

There are some practices that you can do on your own to begin to bring awareness and intention to your pelvic floor: #kegels, squats, hip bridges, deep breathing, and any type of deep hip opening stretching.
Pelvic physical therapists are also great resources during/after pregnancy (and even before!) to find out which strengthening exercises might be best for your body. 

#pelvicfloor #incontinence #doulaofcolor #atldoula #atldoulasofcolor #atlantadoula 📷: @fertilealchemy