Is postpartum pelvic floor muscle repair necessary

Postpartum pelvic floor muscle repair is usually necessary to prevent problems such as urinary incontinence and organ prolapse. Pelvic floor muscle repair is mainly carried out through Kegel exercises, electrical stimulation therapy, biofeedback training, vaginal dumbbell exercises, professional rehabilitation guidance, and other methods. Postpartum pelvic floor muscle relaxation may be caused by pregnancy compression, childbirth injury, hormonal changes, age factors, long-term increase in abdominal pressure, and other reasons.

1. Kegel Exercise

Kegel exercise is a classic training method for autonomously contracting pelvic floor muscles, which enhances muscle strength by repeatedly contracting the muscles around the anus and vagina. Persisting in 3 groups of 10 contractions per day can significantly improve mild urinary incontinence. The key to the action is to simulate the muscle force sensation when interrupting urination, avoiding compensation in the abdomen and buttocks. After 42 days postpartum, lochia can start, and long-term persistence has significant effects.

2. Electrical stimulation therapy

Electrical stimulation passively activates pelvic floor muscle fibers through low-frequency currents, suitable for mothers with poor muscle strength or inability to contract muscles correctly. During treatment, the probe needs to be inserted into the vagina, and electrical stimulation triggers rhythmic muscle contractions. Generally, 10-15 sessions per course can effectively improve muscle fiber recruitment ability. It should be carried out under professional guidance to avoid mucosal damage caused by improper current intensity.

3. Biofeedback Training

The biofeedback device monitors the contraction strength of pelvic floor muscles through sensors and converts muscle activity into visual or auditory signals. Postpartum women can adjust their force application method based on real-time feedback and correct incorrect compensatory actions. This method can help establish the correct neuromuscular control mode, especially suitable for people with poor motor coordination. Suggest 2-3 times a week, combined with home training for better results.

4. Vaginal dumbbell exercise

Vaginal dumbbells use gravity stimulation to enhance pelvic floor muscle weight-bearing capacity, gradually increasing from 20 grams to 100 grams. When using, place the dumbbell into the vagina and force the muscles to contract continuously through movements such as walking or squatting to prevent detachment. At the beginning, each session lasts for 5 minutes, gradually extending to 15 minutes. It is necessary to pay attention to cleaning and disinfection to avoid infection. People with low estrogen levels during lactation may need to use moisturizers in combination.

5. Professional Rehabilitation Guidance

The pelvic floor rehabilitation center of the hospital can provide personalized assessment and program development. Design a comprehensive intervention plan based on the physical characteristics of the parturient by identifying the degree of injury through electromyography testing, three-dimensional ultrasound, and other methods. Professional guidance can avoid movement errors during self training, especially for patients with moderate to severe pelvic organ prolapse. It is usually recommended to evaluate at 6 weeks postpartum, and the golden recovery period is within 6 months postpartum.

The first 6 months after childbirth is a critical window period for pelvic floor muscle repair, during which muscle fiber repair ability is strong. In addition to professional treatment, daily behaviors that increase abdominal pressure, such as lifting heavy objects and squatting for a long time, should be avoided. When coughing or sneezing, the pelvic floor muscles should be contracted in advance. Pay attention to supplementing high-quality protein and vitamin C in diet to promote collagen synthesis, and maintain moderate aerobic exercise to control weight. If symptoms such as continuous urinary leakage and falling sensation occur, medical attention should be sought in a timely manner. Severe cases may require surgical treatment. breastfeeding women may have a slower recovery rate due to lower estrogen levels, but continued training can still lead to improvement.