After childbirth, a woman feels pelvic heaviness and urine leaks when she coughs. The pelvic floor muscles and urogenital diaphragm stretch during delivery. These muscles normally support the bladder, uterus, and rectum and pinch the urethra shut during coughs. When weakened, organs sag (prolapse) and the urethra isn't sealed — stress incontinence. Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises rebuild this support.