With all the talk of Princess Kate and the royal baby (it’s a boy!), I thought it’d be appropriate to revisit the topic of incontinence after giving birth.
As many as 70% of women will experience bladder leakage, or stress incontinence, during or after pregnancy. You may unexpectedly leak urine while sneezing, laughing, coughing, exercising, or doing anything that puts pressure onto your bladder. Some women will let out just a few drops, while the less fortunate ones may completely wet their pants.
Stress incontinence after pregnancy can be caused by several things:
- pressure on the bladder from the baby, which can affect bladder function
- stretching from childbirth
- weakened pelvic floor
- damaged nerves
The good news is that, post-partum incontinence usually goes away after several weeks or months. During that time you may be hesitant to exercise or go out, for fear of having an accident in public. However, there are non-surgical ways to manage and prevent leaks. So what can you do?
- Perform kegels. – Pelvic floor exercises, or kegels, are the recommended first line of treatment for stress incontinence. Exercises involve repeatedly contracting the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, which helps control urine flow. Women who have trouble doing the exercises can seek a pelvic floor therapist, or try using vaginal weights. Kegels takes time and patience, but doing them for as little as 30 minutes a day can make a big difference in your bladder control.
- Lose weight. – The weight gained during your pregnancy can add pressure to your already-sensitive bladder. Try to switch up your diet, and don’t forget to stay hydrated.
- Wear protection. – Incontinence pads won’t necessarily help you stop leaking, but they offer an easy way to keep your clothing dry. Poise Pads are a customer favorite since they’re really lightweight and discreet, yet can absorb a good amount of fluid. These bladder pads also contour to the curves of your body and have odor control!
Remember, stress incontinence happens to millions of women, so you’re not alone. If you still have trouble controlling your bladder after six weeks, be sure to contact your doctor. In the meantime, enjoy your new bundle of joy and don’t let incontinence take control over your life!
Note: For those who’ve never been pregnant or given birth, don’t think that you’re in the clear – you can still experience bladder leakage. Causes may include medication, diet, or urinary tract infections (UTI). See your doctor to determine the problem.