Incontinence questions

Body: 

So I'm still working my way through the incontinence DVD (it's hard to get much uninterrupted time to myself these days!), but what I've learned so far has got me thinking...and I've got a few questions.

Since there is an ideal position to void your bladder (which, by the way, I am still almost in disbelief about how the sensation of always needing to pee has all but disappeared since doing this!! I don't think I was able to completely empty my bladder before), is there an optimal position for giving birth that will either reduce the risk of prolapse, or that is just better overall? I know on your back is bad, obviously. But I was under the impression that a deep squatting position was good, but now I'm thinking not, since the whole "squatty potty" product/trend is bad. (I'm not pregnant..yet..but hope to be in the near future).

Should the exercises in the dvd be done daily? Or just a few times a week?

Lastly, I've noticed that my incontinence worsens right before and during my period. I've read that this can be due to estrogen levels dropping to their lowest at this time. Well what is one supposed to do about that?!

Hi kiwi,
As with any of Christine's exercise programs, it is really up to you how often you should do them. Basically, just paying attention to how your body feels. And, keep working on that posture; it is really the key to all of this.

Periods are just a big pain, aren't they. I always have my worst symptoms during the period time. I have noticed too that I tend to retain quite a bit of fluid in my body right before my period, and then woosh, I pee quite often right upon starting my period. The good thing about periods is that they end, and it doesn't take much to get back on track with the whole woman work.

I would say that probably an ideal birth would be a gentle, natural birth on hands and knees with minimal or no intervention. Very few of us are strong enough to hold a deep squat without collapsing the spine; and just think how tiring childbirth can be, especially if it is prolonged.

Regarding frequency of exercises, I agree with AG - that is up to you. Be sure you are learning that posture and practicing it as you go throughout your day - standing, sitting, walking, lifting. We are doing the WW work all day long - no one is too busy for that! Keep telling yourself that you are exercising all the time, so you don't have to worry when your day gets away from you and you feel like you've missed a workout. - Surviving

Thank you both!

And yes I agree, periods are a huge pain!

I guess I should clarify though, I don't just mean retaining extra fluid, but actual leaks during exercise. So say, for example, normally I can do 25 jumping jacks before springing a leak, but right before or during my period I can only do 5 before leaking. So is that kind of incontinence just irreparable if it's literally hormone related?

Also, interesting you said hands and knees for birthing--that is the position I delivered my first (and only) baby in. I was afraid that might have been bad, but it was what was most comfortable for me. (I had a home birth attended by 2 midwives.)

Does a water birth help prevent prolapse in any way, or put less stress on things? Or is that just more for pain management?

I am now in my sixties but was very active and sporty,personal trainer encouraged rowing machine for me ,etc. However I had never heard about Prolapse or thought about incontinence,never entered my world UNTIL,trying to strenthen my bones after menopause. I did lots of exercise but especuslly 50 daily jumps on mini trampoline,then I had a prolapse and my life has changed . I would be very sure that u r in whole woman posture when doing those jumping jacks and any jumping or lifting movements. It will save any damage regarding prolapse and probably help with leaking too. Unnatural exersise was literally my downfall! I would like to warn others and save them ,stick to walking !

Running and jumping can in fact be very beneficial for prolapse, once you have mastered Whole Woman posture and know how to do them the right way. Until that time, I would agree with Everhopeful, stay on the low-impact side and really fine-tune that posture. As the book states, avoid exercises where you are holding your body at an obtuse angle. Acute body angles keep the organs pinned.

Christine's granddaughter came into the world with a water birth! You can read their story here:
https://wholewoman.com/library/?p=20

- Surviving

Ah! I'm realizing more and more that personal trainers and group fitness instructors really aren't qualified to be dispensing exercise advice to women. I don't say that to be mean, I just feel like their training/education/knowledge is often lacking. I know they are probably not purposefully spreading misinformation or bad advice, but I think that is probably often the case :(

Aww! Thanks for sharing the link--I love to read birth stories :)

That makes me SO happy to hear that running and jumping can actually be beneficial!!!! Because (as I'm sure you know)--conventional advice from PTs and doctors is to absolutely stop those activities. But I love to run and jump, and I want to be able to run and jump and play with my kid(s) as they grow, you know.

Anyway--can you help me better understand what you mean by obtuse and acute angles? I had to google them to remember what the terms meant from a geometry point of view, but I'm having a hard time translating that into form during exercise. Can you give me an example of an exercise that puts the body in an obtuse angle?

Do I need to buy the book for a better description of WW posture? I think the basics are belly relaxed, shoulders down, upper back broad and flat, chin slightly tucked..? I'm honestly not sure if I'm doing it correctly. And unfortunately, I can tell I've lost so much shoulder flexibility and my shoulders are so rounded forward now after 1+ year of hours upon hours of breastfeeding in a slouched position :( I'm not sure how to improve my shoulder flexibility/position.

Anything that places the body at a greater-than 90-degree angle, flattens the lumbar curve and strains the pelvic organs in a way that you can clearly feel. Two examples would be any type of crunches, and a machine like a recumbent bike that has you leaning back while exerting yourself.

I personally think everyone should have the book, but then again, when I was starting out, there was the book, the DVD, and the baton. You could buy them in a bundle or you could buy them separately. Now, the choices are dizzying and a bit confusing. I worked solely from the book for about my entire first year. - Surviving