Interesting Tips about Kegels from my OB

Melissa2216

Yesterday my OB and I were discussing episiotomies/tearing (I was very happy to hear that she is "not a fan of" episiotomies and only performs a few a year) and I asked if Kegels help at all.  She said Kegels can actually cause MORE tearing b/c they strengthen the vaginal muscles and during delivery, you want those muscles to be as relaxed and loose as possible.  Your abs are what pushes the baby out--not your vag. 

She said Kegels are really only helpful if you have incontinence issues, but otherwise they can actually make delivery harder.  She suggested starting Kegels 2-3 days after delivery to tighten things back up.

glezie83

When you think about it, it makes sense.

I asked my doctor about epistiotomies/ tearing too. He said there was nothing you could do to prevent it. Which i thought was strange because i read that kegels are a good way to not tear.

But the way you and your explained it makes sense.

Melissa2216

Yeah, she explained it really well.  She said so many women do Kegels religiously b/c all the baby books tell us to, but it only makes delivery harder.  I'm so glad I asked her about them.

She also mentioned that the only way to prevent tearing is to have really controlled pushing.  She said women who get epidurals have less tearing b/c they're able to withstand the pressure and control the pushing more than women who go the natural route.

mrsmullins0500

Well I am glad to hear that b/c I have not been doing them! lol

supermom83

My doctor told me something very similar. I asked her at my last appointment if I should be doing kegels and she said flat out "no". She said it does nothing for birthing (but didn't go into as much detail as your OB did) but she said to start them after baby only if I have incontinence issues. 

germanpickle

Aren't your doctors talking about "special massages", aka called Perineal massage.  https://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/birth/assisted_delivery/perineal_massage.asp

It is standard advice here in Germany and the ripping/cutting stats are much lower here than in the US. I don't know if there is a 1:1 causation - but I will be massaging away!

kenyakeetah

I have always thought this, and never asked about it but glad you mentioned it. I don't do them simply because it confuses me lol  and I always forget

cvl105

That's great news considering I never do them! I knew I wasn't doing them for a reason!

Phlenin

cvl105:

That's great news considering I never do them! I knew I wasn't doing them for a reason!

This.  

SpceCadet

ntrick:

Aren't your doctors talking about "special massages", aka called Perineal massage.  https://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/birth/assisted_delivery/perineal_massage.asp

It is standard advice here in Germany and the ripping/cutting stats are much lower here than in the US. I don't know if there is a 1:1 causation - but I will be massaging away!

My doctor recommended this to me too. 

carolleeg31

in nursing school they adv  us to tell our patients to use vasoline or some sort of oil in that area to help prevent tearing, u can start doing prior or during labor....

Im not a maternity nurse now but it was just something mentioned not sure how the drs feel about this??

kellyloveszach

Awwww....that sucks.  I have been kegeling like crazy.  I really hope to avoid tearing this time too.  I have such bad incontinence problems though so I have to do them.  I pee myself 4 or 5 times a day when I cough or sneeze.  I think after my first baby things didn't quite rebound and then this baby is so low that he is pushing on my bladder.  My midwife was just telling me that if it doesn't get better after birth then I might have to do pelvic floor therapy to get it back on track.  

AshleyPT

Melissa2216:

Yeah, she explained it really well.  She said so many women do Kegels religiously b/c all the baby books tell us to, but it only makes delivery harder.  I'm so glad I asked her about them.

She also mentioned that the only way to prevent tearing is to have really controlled pushing.  She said women who get epidurals have less tearing b/c they're able to withstand the pressure and control the pushing more than women who go the natural route.

See, this is weird to me.  Seems like having a strong pelvic floor would be the only way to help control pushing. Your abs help push, but they can't control descent or speed. Kegels don't strengthen the vagina, they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and most tears are superficial vaginal tissue tears. The statement about epidurals helping to prevent tearing seems super strange to me too, but that's probably the Bradley class in me. But, I'm not doctor - oh wait, yes I am.