Is it necessary to repair pelvic floor muscles after childbirth

Postpartum pelvic floor muscle repair is usually necessary to prevent problems such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor muscle repair can be achieved through self training, physical therapy, biofeedback therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, surgical treatment, and other methods. Postpartum pelvic floor muscle relaxation is often related to factors such as pregnancy compression, childbirth injury, hormone changes, age, and long-term increased abdominal pressure.

1. Self training

Kegel exercises are the most common method of pelvic floor muscle self training, which enhances muscle strength by repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscle group. During training, it is necessary to find the correct muscle position to avoid incorrect force application that may cause compensation in the abdominal or thigh muscles. It is recommended to practice in 3-4 groups every day, with each group contracting for 5-10 seconds. Long term persistence can improve mild stress urinary incontinence, but has limited effect on severe injuries.

2. Physical therapy

Vaginal dumbbell training guided by professional rehabilitation therapists is a physical therapy method. Insert conical dumbbells of different weights into the vagina and use gravity to stimulate pelvic floor muscle contraction. The treatment needs to gradually increase the weight of dumbbells, combined with respiratory training for better results. This method is suitable for women who are 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum and can effectively improve muscle endurance and control.

3. Biofeedback therapy

uses an electromyography biofeedback device to monitor pelvic floor electromyographic signals and convert muscle contraction states into visual or auditory feedback. Patients can significantly improve training accuracy by adjusting force intensity based on real-time data. Especially suitable for people who cannot independently perceive muscle contractions, the treatment cycle usually requires 10-15 times.

4. Electrical stimulation therapy

passively stimulates the contraction of pelvic floor muscle fibers by transmitting low-frequency currents through electrodes or vaginal probes. Electrical stimulation can awaken dormant motor neurons and improve muscle blood circulation. Suitable for patients with severe relaxation of muscle strength level 0-2, but contraindicated for those with pacemakers or a history of epilepsy.

5. Surgical treatment

For pelvic organ prolapse that conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical procedures such as vaginal anterior and posterior wall repair and sacral spine ligament fixation can be chosen. Surgery can directly reposition prolapsed organs and reinforce supporting structures, but there are risks such as infection and bleeding. postoperative rehabilitation training is still necessary to prevent recurrence. During the 42 day postpartum physical examination, pelvic floor muscle function should be routinely evaluated, and timely intervention is necessary for symptoms such as coughing, urinary leakage, and a feeling of falling. Avoid behaviors that increase abdominal pressure such as lifting heavy objects and squatting for a long time in daily life, and can be combined with warm water sitz baths to promote blood circulation. Pay attention to supplementing high-quality protein and vitamin E in diet, which helps with muscle tissue repair. breastfeeding women should consult with some electrical stimulation devices before undergoing rehabilitation treatment, as they may affect milk secretion.