Running, skipping, jumping... yes it's one of those threads...

[MrsMook]

My DCs were not kind. DS1 let me push his giant back to back head for two hours before an EmCS. DS2 also stuck around in back to back before being evicted forcibly with a pair of forceps incurring a 3rd degree tear. Between that and the SPD, I was still struggling to walk 3 months after.

Fast forwards 2 years, and I'm not doing so badly. I can survive a teaching day once again, so I'm not a totally lost cause. My real weakness is impact. And I like my exercise. I recently did a 10k in under an hour, but my great personal triumph was somewhat, ahem, dampened by my Tenna Light being insufficient for the occasion.

So how do I sort it? I think I'm OK on my kegal technique although admittedly inconsistent. I did ask the nurse to check at my most recent smear test. Should more consistency be enough to sort it, or is additional action likely to be required? I'd love to be able to skip without my aparently "empty" bladder finding more contents minutes after another trip to the loo.
I've recently resumed periods after stopping breastfeeding, and discovered that I can't hold my new moon cup in which is somewhat disappointing.

[emummy]

My GP referred me to a specialist physiology for assessment and she gave me more exercises which worked. There are specialist services all around the country for this, heard it on women's hour! So maybe try for a proper assessment first? If the exercises are not going to do it, there are some far less invasive surgical techniques now that can make a big difference. I run ok now, but still avoid trampolines!

[velmadinkly]

I second going to the GP to get an appointment to the go to the 'incontinence clinic'. I too have problems with leakage which is worst at certain times of my cycle.

I gave birth to a back to back 8lb 12oz toddler, which resulted in a 3rd degree tear and a much weaker right hand side on my pelvic floor. I couldn't feel a thing for about 6 weeks after giving birth, so I went to the loo via timings rather than by urge.

After assessment with the specialist incontinence nurse, who checked that I was doing pelvic floor exercises properly along with talking to me about how, when, timings etc of me doing the exercises, she suggested a repair would be most suitable. She also diagnosed the significantly weaker RHS.

I then went onto see a consultant regarding the repair, who was happy to do it, but after much consideration I decided against it, for a number of reasons.

One thing I did learn is that effective Pelvic floor exercises on a regular basis significantly improves the strength of the PF in 80% of cases. The 'success' rate of a surgical repair is deemed to be about 80%.

So, if you aren't doing your PF exercises regularly, then I suggest you do them religiously 3 - 4 times per day, every day for a minimum of 3 months, to see how you get on. In the meantime ask to be referred to the specialist clinic.

[MrsMook]

I had the lack of urge early on too. It took about 3 months to get a normal signal back rather than going manually. I'm about to TTC#3, so trying to get more routine about remembering my exercises, not sure if a refferal might be better to bear in mind long term when I've finished trashing myself! Surely I've earned a dainty, neatly aligned girl by now ...