remember: before you start any exercise program consult with your health care provider. your health care provider can give you personal exercise guidelines based on your medical history. kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder uterus and bowels. by strengthening these muscles during your pregnancy you can develop the ability to relax and control the muscles in preparation for labor and birth. kegel exercises are also highly recommended during the postpartum period to promote the healing of perineal tissues increase the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and help these muscles return to a healthy state and also increase urinary control. to do kegels imagine you are trying to stop the flow of urine or trying not to pass gas. when you do this you are contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor and are practicing kegel exercises. while doing kegel exercises try not to move your leg buttock or abdominal muscles. in fact no one should be able to tell that you are doing kegel exercises. so you can do them anywhere! we recommend doing five sets of kegel exercises a day. each time you contract the muscles of the pelvic floor hold for a slow count of five and then relax. repeat this ten times for one set of kegels.
how can i do kegel exercises during pregnancy?