Did you know – your pelvic floor muscles have to stretch 2-3 times their resting length during childbirth?
‘Just do kegels’ is often the advice you see during a quick google search online, or perhaps even what is encouraged by your provider. However, a kegel in isolation addresses the contraction (shortening of the muscle) and being over zealous with them to prepare for labor may actually hinder progression during childbirth. This is because your pelvic floor does not need to be strong to push a baby out. In fact, your pelvic floor’s job is to move out of the way to allow your baby to pass through the birth canal. Just like with any muscle, you want you pelvic floor muscles to move through their full range of motion which means you want it to contract, lengthen and relax.
