The Kegel muscle, or pubococcygeal muscle (PC), was named after Dr. Arnold Kegel. It was Dr. Kegel who identified that it was important to exercise this group of muscles. Before Dr. Kegel's work, these muscles were unheard of by the average woman.

The Anatomy

Since Dr. Kegel's discovery, we have touted the benefits of Kegel exercises to help strengthen the Kegel muscles. This hammock-like structure of muscles is located in the pelvic floor region in both men and women. In women, this muscle group actually helps hold the pelvic organs, like the bladder, in place. There are three openings to the muscle in women: the urethra, the vagina, and the anus.

Each of these openings is surrounded by a sphincter, which is comprised of voluntary and involuntary muscles. The voluntary muscles provide you with control over the release of urine and feces. The involuntary muscles hold your organs in place without you having to worry about it.

You might be thinking that this is a nice little anatomy lesson — but what does it have to do with me? The answer is simple: everything!

“Kegeling”

This little hammock of muscles can do a lot for you, with proper maintenance. “Kegeling,” the act of exercising the Kegel muscle, will help you decrease the incidence of stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is what we call it when you cough or sneeze and wet your pants!

Kegeling can help tone the muscle to provide you with better control over the muscle group during birth. Not only will you increase your ability to push your baby out effectively, but you will also decrease the likelihood of needing an episiotomy (incision made in the perineum, area of skin between the vagina and the anus) and the likelihood of tearing.

These exercises will also help tone your pelvic floor muscles, which will result in better blood flow and will promote faster healing of this sensitive area after the birth of your baby. And the good news is that Kegel exercises are something you can do immediately post-birth.