Congratulations!
You’ve done it! You’ve brought life into the world and you’ve finally welcomed your baby home. As you settle into life with your new baby, you may notice that your body doesn’t quite feel the same as it did before pregnancy. Every sneeze, laugh, jog or cough seems to come with an unexpected leak.
Unexpected leakage is not an uncommon symptom for your body to go through as it heals from performing childbirth, but it’s also something that you don’t have to live with forever.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments you can do to help regain confidence in your pelvic floor so you can laugh, sneeze, exercise and live your life without worrying about bladder leaks.
Why does postpartum leakage occur?
If you’re experiencing bladder leakage after childbirth, you’re far from alone. Millions women experience temporary bladder leakage during their postpartum period because pregnancy and delivery place significant demands on the pelvic floor.
During the first, second and third trimesters your body has experienced ongoing and increasing pressure from a growing baby. This comes with additional weight on your bladder, pelvic floor and hormonal changes that affect connective tissues.
During childbirth, the pelvic floor is placed under additional stress. The muscles may stretch significantly, nerves can become irritated, and some women experience muscle weakness or injury during delivery.
If the baby was delivered from a Cesarean birth, it doesn’t guarantee safety from these symptoms. Although C-sections may reduce the risks of some of these effects, it does not eliminate the possibility of pelvic floor dysfunction from the labor and delivery resulting in urinary leakage and other pelvic floor symptoms.
Types of Postpartum Urinary Leakage
There are 2 types of urinary leakage, also known as incontinence, that you may be noticing during postpartum.
- Stress Urinary Incontinence: is leakage caused by sudden physical pressure on the bladder. This could be a result from:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Laughing
- Running
- Jumping
- Lifting the Baby
- Urge Incontinence: is leakage that is more uncontrollable and comes on suddenly. Signs may include:
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Waking multiple times during the night to urinate
- Not making it to the toilet in time
Some women may experience one or both of these types of leakage, but both are treatable and it is important to remember that this can be a temporary experience.
What Can You Do At Home To Help Your Body With Postpartum Urinary Leakage
Practice good bladder habits
- Do not push or strain while urinating to help relieve your pelvic floor muscles
- Stay hydrated as limiting fluids can actually make bladder symptoms worse
- Avoid going “just in case” if possible as this can train your bladder to feel full before it actually is
Manage Constipation
- Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods and drink water consistently.
- Avoid prolonged straining during bowel movements
- Sit with your feet elevated on a small stool to assist your body when using the bathroom
Return to Exercise Gradually
- Ease back gently into high-impact activities. Your body is still healing after pregnancy and childbirth, so gradually returning to exercise can help prevent unnecessary strain on your pelvic floor.
- Listen to your bodies signals to avoid over straining, soreness or injury
- Modify exercises if needed. Check out Best 5 Core Exercises That Won’t Harm Your Pelvic Floor for exercise options with form instructions and modifications.
- Don’t assume Kegels are the answer. While Kegels can help some women strengthen their weakened pelvic floor, some women may not be ready to perform Kegel exercises following birth due to muscle injury, tightness or lack of coordination.
A pelvic floor physical therapist can determine which exercises are most appropriate for your body. An individualized assessment is often the best first step towards healing.
When Should You Seek Help From a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PT)?
Consider reaching out to a pelvic floor PT if:
- Leakage continues beyond the early postpartum recovery period
- Symptoms are interfering with exercise, work or daily activities (i.e. experiencing pain or constant urge to urinate)
- You are avoiding social situations because of fear of leakage
- Leakage is getting worse instead of better
You don’t have to be living in pain, fear or uncertainty. Pelvic Floor PT can help navigating this new and uncharted territory for you.
How does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help?
When visiting a Pelvic Floor PT, you will begin with a consultation to discuss your symptoms, medical history, pregnancy and delivery experience and personal goals. Consultations may also include a physical evaluation which can cover: muscle & coordination, breathing patterns, core functions and movement assessments.
Once the consultation and evaluation are completed your PT is equipped to create a personalized treatment plan to tackle your symptoms. Treatment plans may cover strengthening, bladder retraining, relaxation techniques, functional exercises and education on daily activities to set you up on success.
Treatment plans can be tailored to your body’s symptoms and your personal goals no matter time frame from having the baby. Pelvic floor PT can be beneficial whether six weeks, six months or several years after childbirth. It’s never too late to seek care!
While leaking after having a baby is common, it isn’t something you simply have to accept. You deserve to feel confident in your body again – and you don’t have to accept bladder leaks as your new normal.
Whether your symptoms began recently or have lingered for years, effective treatment options are available. If postpartum bladder leakage is interfering with your daily life, consider scheduling a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation to identify the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan.
With the right support, many women can return to exercising, laughing, sneezing, and living confidently without worrying about bladder leaks.
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