Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Pregnancy Symptoms

Obie Editorial Team

The same muscles that are used to push your baby through the birth canal are used to stop urine from escaping the bladder during normal activity. Muscles of the pelvic area require time to heal and as they heal urinary incontinence will often ease off.Urinary incontinence, the inability to hold urine, is common in many women.

Causes of postpartum incontinence

The same muscles that are used to push your baby through the birth canal are used to stop urine from escaping the bladder during normal activity. For some women, coughing and laughing cause urine to leak. For others, simply walking from one room to the next involves a trip to the bathroom for an underwear change.

Important Facts About Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Muscles of the pelvic area require time to heal and as they heal urinary incontinence will often ease off. Some women also have problems with urinary incontinence due to having had a catheter if a C-Section was performed. It can take up to six months for urinary incontinence to stop and bladder control to return to normal.

Treatments for Postpartum Urinary Incontinence 

Kegel exercises are suggested throughout pregnancy and postpartum for urinary continence and increasing the strength of birth muscles. After birth, losing pregnancy weight can ease up pressure on the bladder to increase urinary control as well.

Some of the same treatments used for urinary incontinence during pregnancy are used for postpartum control. Controlling constipation can also help prevent leaks after giving birth. Full bowels can put pressure on the bladder causing urine leakage from time to time. Constipation can be controlled with a high fiber diet and increased water intake.

Wearing protective pads can help you feel a bit more in control of wetness and odor that is associated with urinary incontinence.