Don’t Fear Postpartum Incontinence – Just Control It : As you can probably imagine or as experienced mothers probably know, pregnancy and giving birth can be responsible for a lot of bodily changes to support growing and bringing new life into this world. Your belly and uterus expand, your muscles and ligaments stretch, it becomes hard to see your toes and much more.
However, your body’s journey isn’t over after giving birth and you may experience new conditions such as incontinence while physically recovering. But there are a few ways to supportively and successfully manage incontinence so it won’t get in the way of caring for your infant.
Supporting Women With Incontinence
The first step to properly managing this condition involves understanding it as incredibly common among new moms, existing in over 50% of women. Babies place a lot of pressure on the bladder and can weaken pelvic floor muscles so even with C-sections, mothers are more prone to bladder leaks after giving birth.
Common symptoms of postpartum incontinence or stress incontinence include leaking while laughing, sneezing, coughing or laughing, You may feel the need to urinate more often and leak during the night, as well.
While it takes an average of six weeks for your body to heal after giving birth, it may take six months or more to fully recover from incontinence. Instead of worrying about leaks, here’s how to manage the condition.
-
Be Prepared With Incontinence Supplies
Don’t wait until a leak happens to take action. Make sure you or your loved one is prepared with discreet incontinence supplies to catch leaking bladder. This doesn’t mean you have to use bulky diapers. There are smaller bladder control pads that can effectively absorb leaks. Plus, extra pads can fit in any purse or diaper bag.
By using a durable medical equipment supplier (DME), you may not have to stress out about the cost of monthly incontinence supplies, as they may be covered through insurance. Connect with the right DME to get started and to have bladder control pads regularly shipped to your home.
-
Try Kegel Exercises
Once you are physically able to resume light exercise, you can do Kegal exercises on a daily basis to re-strengthen your pelvic muscles. While standing, sitting or laying gently tighten your pelvic muscles – the ones used to hold your urine – and hold them for about 10 seconds.
Perform this exercise about three times a day with ten reps per session and gradually extend the amount of time you hold your Kegels tight. There are also a variety of weights and devices you can use to build up resistance.
-
Take Control
There are a variety of small changes you can easily make to reduce incontinence symptoms by relieving stress on your bladder.
There are also supplements like Confitrol24 that can help you regain control of your bladder. You can take this supplement to fight urinary incontinence.
Try timed voiding by going to the restroom every few hours instead of waiting for the urge to strike. It’s also good to go after meals, before bed and once you get up. You can also try to extend the amount of time you wait between taking bathroom breaks every day.
Adopt a cleaner diet to support the nutrition and calories necessary for breast feedings and to avoid bladder irritants. Certain items such as refined sugar, caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol can increase pressure on the digestive tract.
Get moving. Along with your Kegel exercises, start taking walks to slim down and remove stress from your bowels.
Keep drinking water. It can be tempting to stop drinking before events to stop leaks, but becoming dehydrated can add more stress to your system and lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Hydration is also important for breastmilk production.
-
Don’t Skip The Doctor Visit
If you’re still struggling with incontinence after six months, speak with your doctor to rule out more serious health conditions and contributing causes. They may be able to correctly diagnose the issue and create a treatment plan, so you can effectively regain control of your bladder.
Temporary solutions for urinary incontinence relief may include the use of medication or support devices to help relax your bladder and restore normal urine flow. Devices such as a pessary may be placed in the vagina to help you fully empty your bladder and other devices like slings may be surgically inserted.
But for now, don’t worry. Incontinence is totally normal after giving birth. Use your protective bladder pads to catch leaks and enjoy bonding with your baby as you physically recover. Then, take the steps to work with your doctor to fully regain control if needed.
Author : Cheryl Williams is Urology Team Leader at Aeroflow Healthcare.
Related Videos about Postpartum Incontinence :
Female Bladder Leakage: Solutions to Get Control | UCLA Obstetrics & Gynecology
THE TRUTH ABOUT POSTPARTUM INCONTINENCE + Tips To Help Regain Bladder Control
What is Post Partum Incontinence?
Bladder Leakage After Childbirth
How to do Kegel Exercises that Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
How To Stop Urinary Incontinence in 2 Weeks!
Urinary Incontinence in Women, Animation.
Don’t Fear Postpartum Incontinence – Just Control It
postpartum urinary incontinence treatment, postpartum urinary incontinence surgery, incontinence after childbirth statistics, urinary incontinence after childbirth treatment, bowel incontinence after childbirth, urinary incontinence after c section, postpartum leaking fluid, postpartum bedwetting,