“I Found My Pelvic Floor!”

Mary O'Dwyer and Lana

It’s early Sunday morning and I’ve just arrived in the city feeling excited about attending a Pelvic Floor Workshop.

You’re probably wondering why I would describe attending a workshop of this nature as ‘exciting’, well, I’ve read two of Mary O'Dwyer’s books – “My Pelvic Flaw” and “Hold It Sister” and they have proved enormously beneficial to my own pelvic floor functions.

I’ve spoken to many women around my age (and younger) who are experiencing various problems with their pelvic floor control and are worried about becoming incontinent in the future or are afraid of having prolapses.

Serious concerns!

I for one, certainly do not wish to suffer the indignity of ‘leakage’ if I can possibly avoid it, or having other associated pelvic floor dysfunctions, so this is why I am feeling excited for my pelvic floor’s future.

Mary’s promise of a more enjoyable sex life is also an incentive!

Practice makes perfect - doesn’t it?

My 34 year old daughter, and (50 something) long time friend are warmly and enthusiastically welcomed at the studio door by Mary.

We are invited to meet the other participants who are of all ages and vocations (some are personal trainers) before Mary eloquently launches into her full day’s program.

“Today you will learn to understand how your pelvic floor works and adopt protective pelvic floor habits. You will also learn the harmful habits to avoid. You will discover and control your pelvic floor muscle action and effectively train your pelvic floor muscles and gain improved sexual sensation.

You will recover control after child birth or surgery and you will learn new powerful information to teach your daughters and granddaughters”, says Mary in such a calm and easy listening voice.

I could just imagine Mary hypnotising me or taking me on a guided meditation with her incredibly soothing voice.

All of the women in the room are mesmerised by Mary’s every word!


Mary conducting the workshop

I was astonished to learn that our posture muscles shut down when we slump. I’m a self confessed ‘serial slumper’ so I took particular notice!

Mary explained that when our chest drops our posture muscles are switched off. This is a problem in the long term as when we sit, stand and walk, these muscles are meant to be continuously switched on.

In the long term, chronically poor posture will weaken their ability to hold us upright.

My posture muscles have been switched off for a hell of a long time! I certainly have to transform my carriage to get myself switched on again!


Some of the lucky workshop participants

Mary emphasises that the most important life-time exercise for your pelvic floor is to continually grow tall through the crown of your head whenever you are upright against gravity.

Notice how your pelvic floor muscles draw up more effectively when you are “crowning” or pulling yourself up straight with a pretend string pulling from the top of your head.

Try it now wise women and you will feel the difference.

Amazing isn’t it?

Mary has so much valuable information to get through and all of us workshop participants are hanging on to her every word as we marvel at the role that our pelvic floor plays in our lives.

We also enjoy the practical exercises where Mary checks us individually to ensure that we can all identify our muscle actions and that we are using them effectively.


Pelvic Floor Exercises

My friend is feeling rather pleased with herself after being singled out to demonstrate her ability to located and control her pelvic floor muscles.

Mary compliments her on having “exceptional pelvic floor control”, which she takes onboard with much delight!

My daughter is also invited to demonstrate fitness ball exercises to help strengthen our pelvic floors – she is another star pupil and receives much acclaim and encouragement for her efforts.


My daughter with Mary

During the workshop, Mary encourages all of us and ensures that each one of us receives her undivided attention in satisfying our individual needs.

The participants freely share their own personal experiences with the group and one of the women generously shares her experience with the use of pessaries to control prolapse.

I have never actually heard of a pessary and was absolutely fascinated to learn that this device, when fitted correctly, can help change the wearer’s life by supporting the vaginal walls after a prolapse.

If you need to know more about the use of pessaries, please contact your GP or women’s health centre.

Various types of pessaries

THE VERDICT -

Over a delicious lunch provided by Mary, I hear a woman remark that she has “finally found her pelvic floor” and others who are just so happy that they are at the workshop.

The information and practical advice that they are receiving from Mary is being described as “priceless”.

Even though Mary didn’t compliment my pelvic floor, in the way that she had complimented my friend and my daughter’s (I’m jealous), I clearly understood that this was a changing day for me as I had learned to control my pelvic floor for life!

It was also a fun day, a day to celebrate being a woman and it was a day that I would thoroughly recommend to all women.


Enjoying the Workshop

My friend and my daughter sharing notes

Important Information from Mary –

* Eat 25 grams of fibre each day for bowel health.

* A normal bladder will empty 5-6 times a day.

* Our brain needs 10,000 repetitions until it becomes a learned habit.

* Stand tall to switch on your pelvic floor muscles.

* Learn more at Mary’s website - http://www.holditsister.com

About Mary -

Mary O'Dwyer B.Physio, Grad.Dip Pelvic Floor Rehab & Continence Senior Teaching Fellow, Bond University.

She is a pelvic floor physiotherapist, trained at the Universities of Queensland and Melbourne.

With more than 30 years clinical and teaching experience Mary is working clinically in Women’s Health at Physiocare, Maroochydore, and Senior Teaching Fellow at Bond University, Gold Coast.

Everyday in her clinical work  Mary hears women’s stories of pelvic floor failure and pain. Through education and physical retraining these women develop life changing self awareness, a feeling of empowerment to control pelvic floor problems and gain a renewed enjoyment of life.