Is it natural to have urinary incontinence during and after pregnancy?
Urinary incontinence is a common complaint among pregnant women, and some find that it continues to happen after they have their baby. During pregnancy, many women may experience it, which is the involuntary loss of urine. This incontinence may be mild and infrequent for some pregnant women, but can be more severe for others. Incontinence can continue after pregnancy and may not be present right after childbirth. In about 3-4 months after childbirth, when the bladder and uterus return to their original position, the incontinence …show more content…
The kind of incontinence experienced after pregnancy is usually stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is the loss of urine caused by increased pressure on the bladder. The bladder sphincter does not function well enough to hold in urine.
Normally, your nerves, ligaments, and pelvic floor muscles work together to support your bladder and keep the urethra closed so urine doesn't leak out. Overstretching or injury to these areas during pregnancy can cause them to be malfunctioned.
How long will it last?
Most women who develop urinary incontinence during pregnancy find that it goes away soon after childbirth. For some mothers, the leaking becomes less frequent or stops within a few weeks of giving birth, while for others it can persist in varying degrees for several months or even longer.
How can it be treated?
Here are a few tips for mothers to help ease the pressure when having urinary incontinence:
- Try cutting down on caffeine - it can irritate your bladder and make urine harder to control.
- Use a sanitary pad to help absorb leaking urine and protect your clothes from urine