Incontinence – Don’t let it stop you Central Coast mums!
When you are pregnant you tend to get a lot of advice from many people, but something few people talk about are bladder and bowel control problems in pregnancy and after the birth. With 1 in 3 women who have had a baby suffering incontinence, it is definitely time to start talking and doing something about it as incontinence is COMMON but NOT NORMAL for mothers or for anyone!
What is incontinence?
Incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces, or wind from the bowel (faecal or bowel incontinence).
Incontinence is a widespread condition that ranges in severity from ‘just a small leak’ to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. In fact, over 5 million Australians have bladder or bowel control problems for a variety of reasons. Incontinence can be treated and managed. In many cases it can also be cured.
What makes you at higher risk of incontinence
Risk factors associated with the birth which may make a woman more likely to have bladder and bowel problems include:
- having your first baby
- having a larger baby
- having a long labour, chiefly the second stage of labour, or
- a difficult vaginal delivery, resulting in a tearing
- assisted delivery through the use of vacuum or forceps or requiring an episiotomy
How do I know if I have a problem?
Many bladder and bowel problems, particularly during pregnancy can be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles. If you have weak pelvic floor muscles, you may:
- leak urine when you cough, sneeze, lift, laugh or do exercise
- not be able to control passing wind
- feel an urgent need to empty your bladder or bowel
- leak bowel motion after you have been to the toilet
- have trouble cleaning yourself after a bowel motion
- find it hard to pass a bowel motion unless you change position or use your finger to help, or
- feel a lump in your vagina or a sensation of dragging (mostly at the end of the day), which could mean that one or more of your pelvic organs might be sagging down into your vagina. This is called pelvic organ prolapse.
You may also have problems with intercourse. Just after your baby is born, you will likely be very tired and busy with your baby. Vaginal tears and trauma can cause pain for many months. While breast feeding, oestrogen levels may be low and so the vagina may feel dry, which can cause more problems. It may be helpful for you and your partner to talk about these issues with a health professional.
What can I do about weak pelvic floor muscles?
The birth of your baby might have disrupted the integrity of your pelvic floor muscles. Any ‘pushing down’ action may load the pelvic floor further. You can help to protect your pelvic floor muscles by not pushing down on your pelvic floor. Here are a few ideas to help you:
- try to squeeze, lift, and hold your pelvic floor muscles before you sneeze, cough, blow your nose or lift
- share the lifting of heavy loads and ensure you have help at home to assist in the early weeks after birth
- try to avoid becoming constipated which will further load the pelvic floor and ensure there is limited straining whilst opening up your bowel, and
- start pelvic floor muscle training to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Will things get better?
Don’t lose heart. Even poor bladder or bowel control just after giving birth will often improve in the first six months, as the pelvic floor tissues, muscles and nerves recover naturally.
Regular and correct pelvic floor muscle training maintained over the long term, as well as the right advice will help. Don’t forget to prioritise your own health at a time when it is easy to neglect your own needs.
If you are concerned and things are not improving, please speak to your health care professional, Forever Young Physiotherapy are experts in this area and are here to support you, so please don’t be embarrassed or put it off, take action and get your pelvic floor back on track.
Resources:
https://www.continence.org.au
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/