Urinary incontinence: how to prevent weak pelvic floor after giving birth

Bladder Dysfunction in Pregnancy and/ or Post Partum

Involuntary leaking of urine can occur during pregnancy and/ or after childbirth. You may experience this loss of bladder control while laughing, sneezing, and coughing or during physical activity. Some women experience urinary leakage associated with urgency — that “gotta go” sensation or simply seeing a toilet might trigger a leak. 

What causes bladder leaks? Every woman presents differently and needs to be assessed individually for causes and treatment strategies. A few examples may include:

• An extra load of force down onto the bladder from baby/ changes of posture/ weight and pressure which the pelvic floor muscles are unable to cope with
• Incoordination, weakness and/or limited endurance of pelvic floor muscles
• Inadequate bladder and bowel habits leading to leakage through urgency

It may take a few weeks for urinary incontinence after pregnancy to subside.

Follow these tips to help with leaks after childbirth:

• Pelvic floor Muscle Assessment: See a pelvic health physiotherapist to assess your coordination, strength, endurance and control of your pelvic floor muscles. She will teach you the correct way to activate and completely relax these muscles depending on the purpose of activity as well as rehabilitate core strength and pressure management through the pelvis.
• Train your bladder. Urinate every 30 minutes, before you have the desire to empty, and then extend the time between bathroom trips each day. Over time, bladder training may help you work up to what's considered healthy urination intervals. Every three to four hours during the day and getting up possibly once at night.
• Increase your fiber intake. This may help you avoid constipation after pregnancy, so full bowels don't put added pressure on your bladder.
• Drink enough fluids. Through the day sipping 2-3L of fluids, 3L if you are breast feeding. Have a higher water intake during the morning and taper off with drinking less water as the day goes on.
• Invest in postpartum urinary leakage pads

When to talk to your doctor about postpartum incontinence:

If your symptoms don't improve after a few weeks, speak with your Doctor as you may benefit from pelvic health physiotherapy and bladder support devices. After conservative treatments- medication or surgery might be appropriate.

Speak to your Doctor if you experience pain during urination, an urgency to pee with only a small amount of urine, lower abdominal pain, foul-smelling urine or fever, which may be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI).