Bladder Leakage During and After Pregnancy, Oh My!

Ask any woman if her bladder seemed to have a life of its own during pregnancy and you’ll her some amazing stories! But the fun doesn’t end there. Bladder control during and after pregnancy also evolves and changes just as you’re recovering from birth and beginning breastfeeding and parenting.

It’s normal for women/birthing persons to have at least some degree of urinary incontinence (bladder leakage) during pregnancy, which is the involuntary loss of urine. It’s normal and something nearly allmany expecting mothers experience. Incontinence can range from mild to severe in pregnant women. Some risk factors for incontinence during pregnancy include age and body mass index. Other risk factors for incontinence during pregnancy include:

• Age
• Body Mass Index
• Previous vaginal delivery that weakened the pelvic floor or damaged the nerves around the bladder
• Bladder infections (e.g., urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Smoking
• Gestational diabetes

Causes of Bladder Leakage in Pregnancy

There are many physical changes to your body during the months your pregnancy. As your child grows, so does the amount of pressure on your bladder. This may cause your pelvic floor muscles to weaken from the strain of carrying your growing baby. The pressure on your bladder may send you in a hurry to the bathroom more often. Sometimes you may not make it in time and experience accidental leaks. Additionally, the changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can weaken to your pelvic floor muscles, increasing the urgency to get to the bathroom fast.

Early Pregnancy Urine Frequency

Newly pregnant women may urinate more frequently in the early weeks of pregnancy because your growing uterus is located within the pelvis and competes for space with your bladder. As the pregnancy proceeds, your uterus rises into the abdomen after the 12th week. It’s at this time you’ll begin to feel some relief from more frequent urination. However, you’re not entirely off of the hook just yet, mama—during the last weeks of pregnancy, as your child gets in position for birth, their child's head may push directly on your bladder, increasing the need to urinate often. If you experience unexpected leaks while pregnant, it’s typically temporary so try not to worry. Your bladder should return to its pre-pregnancy condition not too long after giving birth. You can regain your pelvic floor, ligament, and tissue strength again. Some women experience urinary incontinence post-pregnancy, but this typically resolves within six months to one year. Post pregnancy bladder leaks might stick around due to a weakened pelvic floor, but Iif theyit continues beyond six months to one year, please reach out to your healthcare provider for options in strengthening your pelvic floor and treating incontinence.

Types of Pregnancy Incontinence

Stress incontinence is considered the most common form of pregnancy incontinence. It results from weakened pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and tissues, which cause involuntary urine leakage. You may notice urine leakage when pressure is exerted during coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Urge incontinence (also known as overactive bladder) results from tissue or nerve damage to the bladder that causes frequent, sudden, and intense urges to urinate. During your pregnancy, weight from your uterus can press on the nerves leading to the bladder, causing it to have spasms that send you to the bathroom in a hurry.

Prevention and Treatment for Incontinence During Pregnancy

Although incontinence is normal for pregnant women/birthing people, ensuring you are comfortable is essential. Below are some management tools and techniques to help you reduce the severity of your symptoms and support post-pregnancy healing.

Tools and Techniques

Causes of Post-Pregnancy and Childbirth Incontinence

Typically, bladder control problems after childbirth will improve in the first six months as your body recovers. Below are some factors that may add to your risk of experiencing bladder leaks post-pregnancy and childbirth:

Signs of Stress and Urge Incontinence Post-Pregnancy

Stress Incontinence – Leaking when: Urge Incontinence – Urinating:

Treatment for Urinary Incontinence Post-Pregnancy

If you’re experiencing stress incontinence, regular pelvic floor muscle exercises or pelvic floor training will help speed up regaining your strength and control quickly after childbirth. It’s important to note that any "pushing down" action during the first weeks after birth may stress and further stretch your pelvic floor muscles. You can protect those muscles by following these helpful tips: Remember, if your bladder control does not improve after six months, talk to your healthcare provider. This will provide the opportunity to discuss new treatment options and explore other possible causes of the stress incontinence you are experiencing. If you’re struggling to get to the bathroom on time, you may be dealing with stress incontinence. Developing and adhering to a bathroom schedule can alleviate some of the urgency associated with having an overactive bladder. Also, some lifestyle changes can assist you with controlling your bladder after pregnancy, including the following: Using products specific for urinary incontinence helps ensure maximum comfort. Avoid menstrual products for bladder leakage as they are not as great at absorbing urine. Instead, look for bladder control pads when shopping for sanitary products. Tap the link to learn more about light bladder leakage.