A Guide to Incontinence After Childbirth
Giving birth is a transformative, joyful experience. However, the process, either a C-Section or vaginal delivery, can take a major toll on your body, and the weeks after childbirth can be uncomfortable for many reasons.
Urinary incontinence is one of the most common issues that pregnant women face after giving birth.
Although it can cause discomfort and stress, it is important to know that incontinence, including the leakage of urine, is very common, and there are many treatment options to manage it.
Let’s discuss incontinence after childbirth, why it happens, and what you can do to manage it.
Key Highlights
- Why does incontinence happen after childbirth?
- When does incontinence happen after childbirth?
- How common is incontinence after childbirth?
- Can incontinence after childbirth be prevented?
- What can you do to manage incontinence after childbirth?
- Can you develop incontinence during pregnancy?
- Can incontinence after childbirth affect emotional well-being?
- Are there any long-term impacts of incontinence after childbirth?
Why does incontinence happen after childbirth?
After giving birth from C-Section or vaginal delivery, the pelvic muscles are stretched, weakened, and damaged. This can lead to incontinence as the muscles that support the bladder and urethra lose strength.
Additionally, the bladder may be displaced, disrupting the flow of urine and contributing to incontinence issues.
When does incontinence happen after childbirth?
Incontinence after pregnancy can happen immediately after giving birth. However, it's also known to develop later on after the birth.
In fact, it's common for women to experience incontinence for several weeks after delivery and, in some cases, it may persist for a more extended period of time.
How common is incontinence after childbirth?
Incontinence after childbirth is a common issue that affects many women. In fact, around 1 in 3 women experience some kind of urinary leakage in the weeks following childbirth.
Can incontinence after childbirth be prevented?
There are a few ways to reduce your risk factors for developing incontinence after childbirth.
These include maintaining a healthy weight, performing pelvic floor muscle exercises during and after pregnancy, and avoiding constipation, which can strain the pelvic floor muscles during a bowel movement.
Absorbent products like incontinence pads are also great for managing the symptoms of incontinence.
What can you do to manage incontinence after childbirth?
One of the most effective treatments is pelvic floor muscle training, such as kegel exercises. These strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra to improve pelvic floor function.
Can you develop incontinence during pregnancy?
Yes, unfortunately, incontinence during pregnancy is also a common symptom that many women experience.
This is often caused by the pressure that your little one places on the bladder, leading to urinary leakage and difficulty controlling urination.
Incontinence during pregnancy can be especially tough because a woman's body is already going through many physical and emotional changes - so incontinence is hardly a welcome addition.
Can incontinence after childbirth affect emotional well-being?
Incontinence after childbirth can greatly affect your emotional well-being.
For many women, it is the cause of much embarrassment and anxiety, as they're ashamed about their loss of bladder control - they may even avoid social situations entirely as a result.
If you're in a similar situation, then you're not alone. There are support groups, online communities, and more to help you manage the emotional impact of your incontinence brought on by your pregnancy.
To help manage any incontinence symptoms you're experiencing, why not try our comfortable and discreet incontinence pads?
They fit neatly under any type of underwear and are highly absorbent, meaning you can go about your day knowing you won't be bothered by leaks.
Are there any long-term impacts of incontinence after childbirth?
While incontinence after pregnancy is often temporary and can be managed, some women may experience long-term effects.
One long-term problem is ongoing incontinence, which can be caused by long-term weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or nerve signal disruption during childbirth.
This can impact a woman's quality of life, as it may limit her ability to participate in activities she would otherwise be able to do.
Another potential long-term effect of incontinence after childbirth is pelvic organ prolapse, which occurs when the pelvic organs, such as the bladder or uterus, descend into the vagina due to weakened pelvic muscles.
This can cause discomfort or pain and must be addressed with a medical professional as soon as possible.
Incontinence doesn’t have to slow motherhood down
Discover the confidence and comfort you deserve with Incontinence UK. Take a look through our wide range of high-quality incontinence products, ideal for new mums dealing with irritating leaks and dribbles.
From discreet incontinence pads to reliable incontinence pants, our range is here to support your needs at every step so you can carry on being the best mum you can be!
