Perineum rehabilitation sessions are prescribed after childbirth to re-tone this set of muscles weakened during pregnancy and childbirth.

Perineal rehabilitation sessions help restore muscle tone. The exercises performed consist of performing the contractions of the muscles surrounding the vagina and especially the levator ani muscles. Important to know: women who have given birth by caesarean section are not exempt from perineum rehabilitation.

A weakened perineum can have many consequences: urinary leakage, risk of incontinence or organ descent (prolapse), most often during menopause. A distended perineum can also affect sensation during sex. Rehabilitation of the perineum is therefore very important.

Three rehabilitation techniques are the most used:

• manual rehabilitation: it consists of a repeated voluntary contraction of the levator ani muscles with solicitation or resistance by the intravaginal fingers of the therapist.
• electrostimulation: this consists of electrical stimulation of the muscles of the perineum via a vaginal probe, which causes them to contract passively.
• biofeedback: allows, by means of a vaginal probe associated with a sound or visual signal materializing the contraction and relaxation, to improve awareness of perineal functioning.

Exercises can be done at home, especially to learn how to lock the perineum. For example, you can sit in front of a mirror while sitting on the floor, contracting the anus and vagina.

It is advisable to start rehabilitation of the perineum 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth. It is during the post-natal visit that perineal rehabilitation sessions are prescribed by the obstetrician-gynecologist or midwife. 10 sessions are 100% reimbursed by Social Security. Abdominal rehabilitation should be undertaken only after completion of perineal rehabilitation.

Performing an episiotomy further weakens the perineum. Perineal rehabilitation is all the more essential. It is not necessary to wait until the episiotomy scar is perfect before starting perineal rehabilitation.