Embarassing question...and maybe TMI for someone who hasn't had a baby

[Debbie]

I have two children, that are 18 months apart, one is 2 and the other is 9 months. I have taken up running since having my second. I have never experienced incontinence before, but I have had this happen occasionally while running. I have tried to stay faithfull to kegels, but don't always remember to do them. I am contemplating buying a dvd that specializes in pelvic floor strengthening. My question is, does pilates strengthen the pc muscles?

Any recommendations/advice/ suggestions....anything really! This is embarassing!!!

[annetteb]

Anna Benson's Rootlock: http://www.fitnessfavorites.com/RootLock.php

http://www.fitnessfavorites.com/IndePrime.php this one is yoga.

Both uses smart balls. I have tried the yoga with Anna which is simply awesome minus the smart balls. She describes more on You Tube.

[cristinalatina]

Callanetics Evolution places a great emphasis on the pelvic floor, maybe you'd like to try it.

Anna Benson also had one called Rootlock, which focused on training the pelvic muscles as well.

I've also seen kegels included in Cindy Crawford's postpartum video (New Dimension) as well as in FIRM Vol.6.

I don't think Pilates will be very helpful.

I really feel for you

ETA: Sorry Annette, I didn't see you suggested the same thing but I hope you're doing well

[annetteb]

Hi Cristina, no problem, great muscles think alike ....I forgot, Collage video has "speciality" workouts for the pelvic floor. You are right, Cristina, all the Anna Benson era Firms did have some type of pelvic floor workout. Especially the Classics!

[tytbody]

not to take away from you question, op but for those that are reading this.. do these balls help with when you sneeze and a little dribbles out? Is that incontinence? I thought incontinence was when you had to go to the bathroom and couldn't make it.

[Elisa B.]

Runner's World actually addressed this very issue a month or two ago and here it is online:

Runners' World

Good luck!

Elisa

[tytbody]

how is a tampon going to prevent leakage when it's coming from a different orifice?

[charleyandbecky]

Yes, when you sneeze, cough, laugh, run, etc., and it causes leakage of urine it is called stress incontinence. The exercises should help with this kind of problem. I have had four children and after the fourth I had issues with this, but the kegels have helped. I have seen the dvd in collage also but never tried it.

[dutchgirl]

Originally Posted by tytbody

how is a tampon going to prevent leakage when it's coming from a different orifice?

I'm guessing that a tampon would trick the body into doing some mild clenching, thus reducing the chance of a dribble.

[tytbody]

thank you Charley and Becky. I'm looking into smart balls now as I read up on this. I had no idea I had incontinence.. I hate when I'm in the house and I sneeze it dribbles. I sure have to get some no matter what the cost. Searching now. to top this off, i never had a child so I don't know how come this is happening to me. Maybe from previous operations, laparoscopy and laparotomy in my 20s.