One of the most common postpartum symptoms is urinary incontinence. It can be frustrating to deal with, especially when it starts during the first few weeks after giving birth.
It is important to seek help if the symptoms last more than 6 weeks after delivery. Your doctor can recommend a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. It would be wise to start using urinary incontinence underwear immediately following child birth.
Medications
Many new mothers have trouble controlling their bladder after childbirth. It can be the result of weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles and a weaker bladder sphincter.
The sphincter is the muscular valve that separates the bladder from the outside world, and works to stop urine from spilling out. It also helps to control urination and prevent urinary tract infections.
During pregnancy and delivery, hormonal changes and the pressure of a growing baby can strain these pelvic floor muscles. In some women, the nerves that control the bladder can be injured as well.
In most cases, the damage that occurs during labor and delivery repairs itself within a few months. But in some cases, it doesn’t. Those women are more likely to have incontinence later in life, and their symptoms can be more severe.
Catheter Supplies
Urinary incontinence after giving birth is common, but can be a frustrating and embarrassing experience. A catheter, which is a tube inserted into your bladder, can be a lifeline for many women.
The bladder is a round, muscular organ that sits above the pelvic bone. It's held in place by the pelvic muscles and a tube called the urethra.
After giving birth, some women's bladders are weakened due to stretching and pressure during labor. These women also tend to have a greater risk of developing urinary incontinence than women who had a Caesarean delivery.
A catheter can help keep you from having to go to the bathroom too often, which can prevent leaks and relieve stress on your pelvic floor muscles. It's a good idea to stick to a regular bathroom schedule, so you know when you need to go.
There are a few different types of catheters for postpartum women to choose from, including indwelling or external catheters. Both use a balloon to hold the tube in your bladder. They drain urine into a bag outside your body, which you can remove and throw away when you empty it.
Absorbent Products
During and after pregnancy, many women experience urinary incontinence. It can be a problem because it may affect your day to day activities and can impact your mood.
A combination of lifestyle and medical treatments can help you to handle Urinary Incontinence after giving birth. These include Kegel exercises (pelvic floor muscle exercises), bladder training, nerve modulation, pelvic floor therapy and electrical stimulation to improve pelvic floor muscles.
There are also products and devices that collect and hold urine. They can help you manage urinary retention or urinary incontinence and are available on the NHS.
Some incontinence pads, liners and disposable underwear are treated with odor-absorbing compounds such as baking soda. These can be helpful for some people but they can cause skin irritation for others.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
If you have urinary incontinence after giving birth, it is important to perform pelvic floor exercises regularly. These exercises strengthen the muscles that control the womb, bowel and bladder (also called the vaginal muscles).
Pelvic floor exercises have been shown to improve urinary incontinence. They also help prevent prolapse and improve sex.
To start, find your pelvic floor muscles and squeeze them really gently. You don’t have to hold the squeeze for long, but try to feel the contraction as you tighten the muscle and then release it.
Do a few squeezes every day and gradually build up the length of time you hold each squeeze. Make sure you rest between each squeeze and that you don’t use other muscles.
If you have trouble finding the right muscles, ask your doctor or nurse to show you. They can also recommend exercise aids such as biofeedback, electrical stimulation or special weights. They can also do a physical exam to check that you are using the correct muscles.
