What is Urinary Incontinence?
Throughout pregnancy, it’s common to experience heightened urinary urges and occasional leaks, especially during laughter, sneezing, coughing, or physical activities. This tendency is typically alleviated a few weeks after childbirth. Nevertheless, the duration of recovery varies, with some women taking longer and others not regaining full control. The increased urinary urge results from the pressure of the growing baby on the bladder, causing it to feel full more frequently. Concurrently, leaks can occur due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
Possible causes of Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal infection / irritation
- Weak bladder
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Overactive bladder
- Pelvic organ polapse
- Obesity
- High caffeine or alcohol consumption
Why is it a concern?
Increased urinary frequency not only leads to inconvenience in daily life but also contributes to embarrassing memories caused by accidental leaks. Stress incontinence, characterized by these leaks, typically stems from pelvic floor muscle weakness. In severe instances, this weakness can even lead to uterine prolapse.
How can Physiotherapy help?
Post-delivery bladder retraining works to desensitize your bladder, ensuring it signals urinary urgency only when full. This process occurs gradually in stages, employing various techniques to suppress urgency.
Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles plays a pivotal role in averting urinary leaks and enhancing bladder control. This practice is effective prior to, during, and after pregnancy, acting as a preventive measure against urinary incontinence.
How can you help yourself and prevent Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can be managed and even prevented through simple lifestyle adjustments.
- Managing your weight to reduce pressure on your bladder
- Cut back on caffeine and alcohol to avoid irritating your bladder
- Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises to improve bladder control
- Bladder retraining to increase bladder capacity and reduce urgency
If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a physiotherapist or healthcare professional. Remember, taking proactive steps can lead to better bladder health and improved quality of life.