Definition: This is a pelvic floor exercise designed to exercise the pubococcygeal muscle (PC muscle). This muscle is a part of your perineum and a well toned PC muscle can help prevent urinary incontinence, the need for episiotomy, help with giving birth to your baby and even heighten sexual pleasure.
This exercise is done by isolating the muscle first. This can be done by figuring out the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine. (Though it is not recommended that you do these exercises while urinating to prevent a possible retention of urine.) You simply tighten the muscle and release it for a basic exercise. There are other types of kegel exercises that can be done once the basics have been covered, but about 50-100 kegels a day is recommended for the basic benefits.
This exercise is also great for postpartum healing of the perineum from an episiotomy or laceration.
Also Known As: PC exercise, pelvic floor exercise
Common Misspellings: keegel
Examples:
Our childbirth educator told us that doing kegels would help us learn to push.
