Incontinence in pregnancy.

[chesterberry]

I am 26 and 33 weeks pregnant - quite early on in my pregnancy I found I was having to wee seemingly all of the time and that I was sometimes leaking when I laughed/coughed. My pregnancy book reassured that some leaking is not unusual and the issue has easily been managed with pads.

However, for the last few days the problem has become a lot worse. I seem to find it increasingly difficult to make it to the toilet on time and have had some proper accidents (rather than just small leaks), including one in Tesco (luckily I was in dark trousers), and the last two nights I have wet the bed. I have bought some Tena pants to wear to work because I couldn't face it happening there but having gotten one out of the pack I am so ashamed at the thought of having to wear one.

I am mortified that this keeps happening and am far too embarrassed to mention this to anybody. I feel really worried at the thought of having to wear protection at work. I had toileting issues as a child (wasn't reliably dry until I was 6 and wet the bed up to early teens) and it was awful and I hate that they seem to have come back. Is this normal? Everything I have read says small leaks are normal but this is more than that. Is it likely to continue until my baby is born and will it stop once I am no longer pregnant?

[NaiceAm]

Also, while you are waiting for the referral do pelvic floor exercises as often as you can and wear the incontinence pants you have bought to give you confidence to get out and about. You are not alone but as Travel says, you should get medical help. Don't stress about it if you can help it

[chesterberry]

Thanks for your quick replies. I have been doing my pelvic floor exercises several times a day and try and stop the flow whilst I'm peeing on the toilet as well (although this has become very difficult now) to try and strengthen my muscles. Perhaps I need to go back to my midwife and have her explain what to do again in case I am doing them wrong?

I was hoping the response would be that this is totally normal and will go away by itself when baby is born, but if that is not the case I guess I will have to be brave and go and see my GP (he is not the most approachable man about these sorts of things unfortunately). Thanks.

[kd73]

Be brave and see your gp, who will refer you to an incontinence nurse. they will provide a plan and ensure you are you doing the pelvic floor exercises properly. Try not to stop and start your flow, it is counterproductive

Good luck

[Shellywelly1973]

I wasn't going to reply but i really feel for you.

Your midwife might be a better source of information & ways to access help then your GP. I would speak to her first.

I had a 3degree tear nearly 24 years ago & i swear its due to pelvic floor exercises that Im not incontinent.

When you do your pelvic floors do them in different positions, standing, sitting, laying down.

Its about number of repetitions & length of holding so make sure you get a balance of both.

Don't be embarressed. Its a taboo subject...think about it when was the last time you chatted with your friends about weeing accidents. I think its probably a lot more common then people realise.

Take care.

[Sunnysummer]

Definitely agree with previous posters! This is not at all an inevitable part of pregnancy, and if you leave it be it will only get worse after delivery (even if you have a c-section, as most of the weakening of the floor comes from carrying the baby, not the labour).

Having worked with bladder issues (nerve related ones, but the outcome is the same), I cannot emphasise enough that you must speak to your doctor or a specialist physio about this. There is no need to be embarrassed about talking to your GP bladder issues are extremely common, though not usually discussed in public - just think of how many pads you see in the chemist! I know it will feel really awkward, but what you are describing is likely to need some extra help from a physio beyond what is advised for the average pregnancy. The good news is that this should be totally fixable, the sooner you can get help the better it will be!

[Sunnysummer]

And as Shelly pointed out, your midwife might also be a good source. But do press for a physio consult - often the type of weakness you describe can happen when women do try their pelvic exercises but aren't quite getting the right muscles, a good physio will be able to help you with the right techniques (don't worry, it's all done fully clothed! )

[chesterberry]

Oh, I feel really stupid that I have been stopping the flow if that's probably made it worse. My widwife told me that's what I should be doing so maybe she won't be the best person for advice, but I will speak to her.

I thought perhaps this was common in the later stages of pregnancy but as it's not I will book an appointment with my GP and hopefully he will hand me over to a physio or incontinence nurse rather than working on the issue himself. I definitely don't want to be like this until baby is due in late August, especially as the thought of having to wear incontinence pants through the summer when it's this hot is really getting me down.

[Christelle2207]

Hi, I'm 36 weeks and completely get where you're coming from, I've had quite a few small accidents and now wear pads every day. I've not talked to doc about it but am being good at my exercises and so far, touch wood it has got a bit better I think. I've also learnt to hold it in when I cough/sneeze. Am surprised at some posters that suggest it's not that common though, I thought everyone had similar issues.

[Nellysgirl]

Does anyone have any tips on how to do the exercises correctly?

[Longfufu]

Can't believe your midwife told you too stop weeing mid flow, im sure my midwife said this can cause back flow to your kidneys...not good.

[overreaction]

My son has been seeing an enuresis nurse for some time. The greatest tip she gave was to drink more water to train your bladder. If your wee is dark you are not drinking enough which causes problems. It should be light yellow. His was very dark yellow especially in the morning & drinking more water has really helped him to empty his bladder properly also relieves constipation which we were told can also cause incontinence.

[Sunnysummer]

You aren't supposed to stop midflow very often as the bladder nerves are sensitive and can easily be trained into wrong behaviour... But you don't need to worry if all is well for you now, just don't do it more than once a month!