Pregnancy & Birth
Is there anything women can do during pregnancy to help avoid incontinence after birth?
They can ask their midwife about pelvic floor exercises and start doing them!
It is difficult to remember, so setting a reminder on a phone or using an app can help.
You could also follow me on twitter – when I tweet, you twitch your twinkle… I’m a very effective nag!
Sadly, there isn’t a pelvic floor fairy, you’re just going to have to do something to remind yourself to do the exercises.
More Information
Find out more about Elaine and Gusset Grippers on her website.
Read about incontinence in pregnancy and after childbirth including symptoms, how to regain bladder control after birth and exercising your pelvic floor muscles.
Incontinence stats
• Our research found that a third (33%) of women who developed urinary incontinence after childbirth were embarrassed to discuss it with their partner, and almost a half (46%) were uncomfortable talking about it with friends.
• Four in 10 (38%) of women said they were self-conscious speaking about the problem with a healthcare professional.
Apart from pelvic floor exercises, what other tips do you have for women to help regain bladder control after birth?
Cut caffeine intake, but, drink lots of liquid – concentrated wee is a bladder irritant so don’t get dehydrated, which can be a challenge if you’re breastfeeding. Your wee should be clear or straw coloured, if it’s yellow, orange or brown then glug some more water.
If you’re leaking after the birth, tell your midwife or GP. There’s lots of help available. Make sure you have your tummy checked after the birth – a gap in the abdominal muscles increases your risk of incontinence.
Equally, don’t return to hard exercise before your muscles are fit enough to cope.
Get assessed before going back to exercise classes, running or anything involving impact. Gentle exercise is great and good for your general health, but, honestly, be cautious with anything which can cause rattling down below.
The main thing is realising that leaking might be common, but, it is never normal and it is certainly not an inevitable consequence of motherhood. Don’t put up with it, you really don’t have to.
Article originally published on www.nctmatters.org.uk