Incontinence: How Your Body Changes After Childbirth

July 27, 2020

Congratulations, you have recently had a baby! While the joy of being a parent is considerable, new mothers have to deal with a host of issues postpartum. Your body has certainly changed.

Experiencing Incontinence

One of the most common effects of pregnancy and childbirth is incontinence. In fact, according to an article on Parents.com “Urinary incontinence is incredibly prevalent among new moms, affecting at least 7 million women in the U.S.” However, just because it is common, doesn’t mean you cannot take steps to manage it.  Incontinence can be embarrassing, inconvenient, and frustrating for pregnant women and new mothers alike.

Incontinence During Pregnancy

Many women experience urinary incontinence throughout the course of their pregnancies. Sometimes simply laughing or sneezing can cause leakage. Stress incontinence is the type most usually present while you are pregnant. This type of incontinence is caused by increased pressure on the bladder. 

While you are pregnant there are several behavior treatments for incontinence.  For example, if you find that you are suffering from leakage, you can keep track of when it occurs and see if there is a pattern.  If one exists, try to use the restroom when the problem is most likely to present itself.

Kegel exercises, which will help strengthen your pelvic floor may help. These are easy to do at home and do not require any type of equipment.  The Mayo Clinic offers advice on how to do them.

Finally, you can also try to train your bladder by using the restroom at predetermined times.  Perhaps start by visiting it hourly and gradually extend the time. 

Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

If you are a new mother suffering from incontinence your first course of action should be to speak with your physician. Childbirth is a significant event, and your body has been through a great deal, Your health care professional will be familiar with your medical history as well as your birth experience.

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