Continuing with our series of questions that you may be a bit embarrassed to ask your friends or OBGYN we have a few more for you today.
Q. My bladder seems to be uncontrollable at points, is this normal?
A. We wouldn’t recommend going to a trampoline park in the few days after birth, for safety reasons and for the fact that many women do have issues in this department right before their due date and for a little while after. Within the first few months of having your little one, this issue should reverse itself.
Tip – don’t forget to do your Kegels.
Q. You just mentioned Kegels, what are those?
A. Kegels are exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises will help strengthen your muscles to help with urinary incontinence before and after you have the baby.
You should aim to do try to do Kegels at least 3 times a day with 10 repetitions.
Q. I am terrified of the pain of labor. What do I do?
A. Many mothers-to-be have this exact same fear. Your body was made to give birth, it is not painless (we would never lie to you about that), but it is bearable. If you feel like the pain is becoming more than you can tolerate and you need something to take the edge off and help you relax, you can use an epidural.
On the day of the delivery, you are so motivated to see your son or daughter that you do not think about the pain so much. Labor is definitely what you make of it.
Q. Will I ever be the same down stairs again?
A. Your body is designed to expand during birth, and after it expands, you have to give yourself time to heal again. Your vagina will feel bruised and swollen and you may have stitches that need to heal as well. But before you know it (at around 8 weeks) when you have your post-natal appointment you should be ready to resume business as usual.
For more information and answers to your pregnancy questions, contact Maternal Resources by phone at 201-487-8600.
