Having a baby is an exciting, life-affirming and magical experience, but it can also bring about physical changes that many new mums aren’t always prepared for. One common issue many women face after childbirth is bladder leaks; also known as postpartum urinary incontinence. For some, it can be an unexpected and frustrating part of postpartum recovery, but the good news is that bladder leaks are manageable and often temporary with the right approach.
In this post, we’ll explore why bladder leaks happen after childbirth, what’s normal and practical steps to manage this condition as well as when you should be looking for help if symptoms become abnormal.
Are bladder leaks in pregnancy normal?
Yes! At least 41% of expectant mums will experience urinary incontinence at some point during their pregnancy. Unsurprisingly, it’s more common the further along you are because as the baby grows, the pressure on the bladder increases. Take a look at this handy diagram here for a visual guide of what’s happening down there when you’re pregnant in the urinary department.
Why do I experience incontinence throughout pregnancy?
To understand why you might experience slight urine leakage during pregnancy, it's helpful to know how the bladder functions. The bladder stores urine and uses muscles to push it into the urethra (the small tube that carries urine out of your body). A separate muscle, the urethral sphincter keeps the urethra closed and only relaxes when you need to go.
The entire system is supported by your pelvic floor muscles. During pregnancy, rising hormone levels can relax these muscles and nearby ligaments, making it more difficult to control your bladder. Additionally, your blood volume increases, leading to more fluid being processed by your kidneys and more frequent urination. As your belly grows, your uterus adds pressure to your bladder and pelvic floor muscles, which is why you feel the need to pee so often!
Are bladder leaks normal after having a baby?
Bladder leaks are common in the initial few weeks after having a baby. According to this study, one-third of women experience incontinence through the second trimester of pregnancy through to the first three months postpartum. Many new mums experience postpartum incontinence due to the weakening or stretching of the pelvic floor muscles and tissues during pregnancy and childbirth.
This can make it difficult to control the bladder, especially during activities like laughing, sneezing, or exercising. In most cases, bladder leaks improve over time with pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) and other treatments, but if the issue persists, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider for further support.
How can I manage leaks?
Our discreet, leak proof knickers are perfect for little bladder leaks during pregnancy and beyond. You can choose from a whole host of designs and fits here in our specially selected curation for urinary incontinence. Now you can wear your new maternity leggings without fear of a pesky wet-patch (or VPL)!
Like we mentioned, the golden ticket to leak-free life post-baby are pelvic floor exercises or Kegels. A simple guide on how to do these looks a little something like this:
- Contract the muscles you’d use to stop the flow of urine.
- Hold for 5-10 seconds, then
- relax for the same amount of time.
(Repeat 10-15 times, several times a day).
You can watch this video to get the lowdown.
Bladder training
Contrary to popular belief, bladder training does not mean it takes a walk on the treadmill - in fact simply holding your urge to urinate can do wonders for your pelvic floor. The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) explain bladder training as a way of ensuring that you are the one in charge of when your bladder empties, instead of the other way around.
If these tricks don’t quite do the trick or if you’re facing more than just a few drops, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider. They’ve got the know-how to help you get back on track We highly recommend speaking to a women’s health physio after having a baby - they can do a full Mummy MOT and an internal exam to help diagnose what issues could be causing your ongoing incontinence. You can learn more about what to expect at a Women’s Health Physio appointment here!