Your pelvic floor
Have you seen our advice about Exercise in pregnancy and Exercise after pregnancy?
The pelvic floor is made up of layers of muscles and connective tissue that line the base or ‘floor’ of your pelvis. It supports your back passage to hold in your stools (poo) and wind (farts), it supports your vagina, and it supports your bladder to hold in your urine (wee). When you are pregnant your pelvic floor muscles and tissues are stretched and become weak.
All women should practice pelvic floor muscle exercises regularly especially if they are pregnant. The pelvic floor muscles should be kept strong and active just like any other muscle in the body.
Use it….or lose it.
How do I do my pelvic floor muscle exercises?
What do the pelvic floor muscles do and why do I need to exercise them?
Extra tips to help look after your pelvic floor
Please click on the language to access videos with subtitles translated into other languages
For support in other languages, and other accessibility visit Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecology Physiotherapy and follow the steps illustrated below...
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If you would like to know about reducing your risk of perineal tears, click here.
Pelvic floor muscles exercises
This booklet contains guidance on how to exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Bladder and bowel incontinence
This webpage contains guidance for anyone experiencing bladder and bowel problems.
Constipation
This webpage contains guidance on constipation.
Your experiences of NHS pelvic health care during and after pregnancy
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