{"id":6608,"date":"2024-03-12T14:01:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T14:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-us\/?p=6608"},"modified":"2024-10-04T14:41:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T14:41:34","slug":"is-bladder-leakage-permanent-after-childbirth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-us\/pelvic-floor\/is-bladder-leakage-permanent-after-childbirth\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Bladder Leakage Permanent After Childbirth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re not a \u2018new mom\u2019 anymore. Your kids are toddlers, tweens, or in school. Your kids might have kids. But those little leaks, that loss of bladder control when you sneeze, laugh, or cough – have never gone away. You probably think you\u2019re too late to do anything about it. That\u2019s just what happens when you\u2019ve had children right? Maybe you think you\u2019ve left it way too long, to do anything about it. Is that postpartum incontinence permanent, or can you do something about it, even years later?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m Wendy, a perinatal pelvic health expert and I am here to tell you – it\u2019s never too late to fix bladder leaks. There\u2019s always something you can do to improve the problem and get your dignity and your life back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let\u2019s get some facts straight.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus will push against your bladder and other organs. This may increase urinary urgency and frequency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Relaxin is the hormone released during pregnancy that allows your ligaments to soften and stretch. You\u2019re carrying a heavy load, and your body is working extra hard. All this can combine to make pelvic floor muscle control a little more challenging. But peeing yourself is not inevitable. Practice your pelvic floor exercises every day<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span> This will keep the muscles flexible and strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And don\u2019t limit drinking fluids – stay hydrated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Labor involves prolonged, sometimes forceful, pushing and bearing down. This puts massive pressure on the pelvic floor. And, giving birth to a baby’s head the size of a small melon is no small feat! You may have had an episiotomy (where or tearing, you may have stitches. Birth with forceps or a ventouse causes physical trauma to the pelvic floor. This means that instrumental vaginal birth can increase the risk of postpartum incontinence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, please be reassured. A lack of sensitivity and some loss of control are likely as you heal. But, this is not forever. Your body needs patience, time, and healing. Your tissues need movement, hydration, and good nutrition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you start to feel less tender, start with gentle pelvic floor releases and contractions. At first, you may not feel much happening, but that’s okay. Keep practicing. Gentle, consistent breathing exercises will improve coordination and connection to the area. You\u2019ll soon start to feel more in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we move into perimenopause<\/a> and then later into menopause, our hormone levels change. Estrogen levels drop. With this and other changes, may come small bladder leaks, even if this wasn\u2019t a problem before.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As hormone levels shift, exercise becomes even more important. Weight-bearing and strengthening exercises are key. Walking, and lifting weights are the most important foundations of all for healthy bone density and core stability. You need to exercise your pelvic floor muscles too. They don\u2019t need to lift weights! You don\u2019t need to insert anything or buy anything fancy or technical. But you want strong and flexible pelvic floor muscles. So, keep practicing your MUTU Core work. This is core and pelvic floor strength for life<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. And the older we get, the more we notice if we neglect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your pelvic floor is like any other group of muscles – use them or lose them! It\u2019s never too late to start improving strength, endurance, and flexibility. Pelvic floor muscles are part of your core, along with the deep abdominals and lower back. This whole system needs strength and stability to keep you pain-free and active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may have been weeks, months, or many years since you had your babies, or since you started having problems. I promise it\u2019s never too late to regain some control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right away, you can manage the problem without shame. Buy postpartum incontinence pads, like TENA<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. Be sure to use the right pads to catch bladder leaks<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. Give yourself some grace to be comfortable. Then, get on with your life without leaks or smells \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n But know that in the vast majority of cases, pads only need to be a temporary solution. MUTU is based on evidence and results. Specialist doctors recommend it. MUTU helps you to restore and strengthen your pelvic floor, giving you back control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there may be additional complications or health issues that require medical help.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBladder leaks are not a normal part of pregnancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bladder leaks are not inevitable after a vaginal birth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Urinary leakage is not \u2018just what happens\u2019 as you get older <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You haven\u2019t left it too long<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Manage the problem now, and fix it for tomorrow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n