I think that's a guy doing a Kegel.
I receive weekly updates from BabyCenter on my wife’s pregnancy.
Well, last week, they taught us how to do kegels, so I figured I better learn.
Kegel exercises are defined as the tightening and holding of muscles near your private parts, and they can help prevent urinary incontinence now and after pregnancy. Sweet.
BabyCenter went on to tell me that, “by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, Kegel exercises can help counteract the pressure of an enlarged uterus during pregnancy.” They recommend thirty Kegels per day. Let’s go!
After clicking on “Learn more about Kegels,” I learned that they are named after Arnold Kegel, a gynecologist from the 1940s. Two questions for this man.
(1) Can we call you Arnie?
(2) How in the world did a man come up with this idea?
BabyCenter asked me to try to “imagine that you’re trying to stop yourself from passing gas and trying to stop the flow of urine midstream at the same time…”
I hate this idea already…
They continued, “the feeling is one of ‘squeeze and lift’ – a closing and drawing up of the front and back passages.”
Oh no…This does not sound fun. I’m writing this as I’m doing it.
Time to give it a try…. Squeeze and lift. And relax. Squeeze and lift. And relax. Squeeze and lift. And relax. Well, I think I have it. I’ve definitely never felt this before, so I think I’ve done my first Kegel. I guess I’m proud of myself, but its not all that exciting.
Here’s the tip I’ll hold on to for the longest. BabyCenter told me to try to hold a Kegel while sneezing or coughing. Apparentely this may help keep me from leaking. I’ve been looking for a remedy for that.
I’m reading now that its most important to make Kegels a part of your daily routine. BabyCenter recommended a set when waking up in the morning, one while watching TV, and one before bed.
Why not do Kegels at every stop light, I say? I’ll start doing them while waiting in the line at a grocery store. How about every time you enter your pin number somewhere, you do a Kegel.
Thanks Arnie Kegel, you’re changed the lives of many of us expectant parents more than you’ll ever know. We’ll always think of you when we…
Squeeze and lift.