Has anyone ever heard of such a problem post-birth? (TMI and embarrassing warning!)

[Kirova]

I'm trying to get over the embarrassment to seek medical help for this, but it's not something I've ever heard of anyone else happening and it didn't happen to me after the first two times I gave birth!

I gave birth to my DD3 in December - she was premature and I had a very, very fast and slightly traumatic labour. She is doing amazingly now (although she doesn't seem to need to sleep, like, ever) and I am okay too. But ever since the birth I've had a problem passing urine. It's like I just don't feel any urge and I only feel I need to go when I have a really full bladder. I do feel uncomfortable at that point and sometimes it is painful.

Then, even when I get to that point, it's really hard to wee. I end up sitting for 20 mins trying to wee and when I do it's just like a trickle, not a proper flow.

I don't know why but I'm too ashamed to tell anyone in real life. I can't get the courage up! I had quite bad 'baby blues' after DD's birth and although I don't feel it was ever really depression, I've lost confidence a bit. I know I need to go to the doctor, but I'm just so embarrassed and it feels like it must be somehow my fault...

Hey, our bodies go through so much with pregnancy and birth. Please don’t be embarrassed. I’m sure the doctors can give advice, it might just be time for things to go back to normal, but you don’t want it to get worse or cause damage further up if there’s urine retention. Is there any option in your area to make a self referral to pelvic health physio therapy? We have that round here and I went for an appt which was really reassuring to check the function of the pelvic floor muscles and they gave some exercises to do to relearn muscle control for bladder.

I’m not totally sure but it could be a prolapse of some type. Doctors will have seen it all before. And it’s definitely not your fault!

Im a lot older than you and only had one child with no major issues after the birth but noticed recently that like you sometimes when I pee it’s a really slow trickle. Mentioned it with some friends and a friend said it could be a prolapse.

Absolutely don't be embarrassed by this. All the mechanics of bowel and bladder are very close to and therefore often affected by everything involved in birth. This is likely something that can be improved with support from someone like a gynaecologist physio. Don't suffer it from embarrassment, you absolutely won't be the first.

Definitely go to the doctor. It's more common than you might think. I had a similar problem after my ds and the doctors said the bladder can be paralysed temporarily after trauma. The treatment for me was a catheter for several weeks to give the bladder a rest and then monitoring (by measuring liquid intake and then output - weeing in a jug) for a while.
If you get it treated now, it's really going to help prevent issues when you're older.

Thank you for the replies! You've already helped me to feel a little less abnormal 😉

The most disconcerting thing is that I just don't feel the urge anymore, and I only realise I need to wee when my bladder is so full that it's uncomfortable and sore. And even then it takes me ages to get it out and I never feel like I've actually got properly empty.

I'm just worried it's something I have done wrong or which I am doing wrong, somehow!

Please go to the doctors. A friend has this after her birth and had quite a big infection in her bladder. Don't be embarrassed, our bodies go through so much having a baby. Good luck Op xx

This is a medical issue that you need help for. Don't be embarrassed at all. Go to the GP and explain and you will get a referral to the right specialist.

Definitely do not be shy or concerned about this.

Oh, that's interesting! I'm sorry you went through that, but I've not heard of anyone else having this. I had a catheter for almost a week after birth, which was partly because I had a massive pp haemorrhage and was in ICU for 3 days. But when they removed it I did manage to pass urine myself so I was judged to be okay.

It's just never got better since then. This morning I've woken up with a bursting bladder, for instance, but I can't actually get anything out. Probably after 3 attempts I'll get a little trickle but it's just so uncomfortable and frustrating. Especially with a 4 and 5 year old and a baby who's going through a bit of a clingy phase!

Lots of people have similar problems, men and women, lots of possible causes!
But a quick Google search reveals that the muscles of the bladder can be affected if ignored... And you definitely want this problem to resolve so best gather your courage and consult the medical professionals.
In your situation it would help me to confess to a loved one first as their reaction is likely to be supportive and it starts to break the fear of shame/stigma down... Good luck!
https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/tips-to-help-with-bladder-emptying/

Yes, I have heard of this! I think it can be related to having a catheter and is something to do with the nerves. When I had my section they had to check I could wee ok and with no odd sensations to check for this.

Definitely not unusual i don’t think and definitely mention to GP xx

If you have a full bladder this morning and are unable to pass urine, that's an emergency.

Please do speak to your doctor and ask for a referral to the perinatal pelvic health team if he/she don't suggest it.

You haven't done anything wrong!!

This sounds like an emergency situation. I would go to A & E immediately and tell them your bladder is full and you cannot pass the urine.

Why on earth would you think it’s your fault? Mind you saying that after I was sterilised I couldn’t go home until I did a wee and couldn’t squeeze enough out, I did feel like it was my fault and that they were waiting for me to get on with it so they could go home!
It must feel really uncomfortable and it needs checking out, especially because of the difficult birth.

I’d agree with others that if you have a full bladder this morning and can’t pass urine then you need to go to A&E.

It’s probably the last thing you want to hear/do with two dc and a baby but you really do need to treat this with a bit of urgency. You could take the baby with you even if it’s not ideal.

its absolutely nothing to be ashamed of although you feel how you feel and I think we can surprise ourselves sometimes. If this was a friend or member of family I bet you’d be first in line to get them in front of a doctor, be a good friend to yourself.

Hi OP, please get this looked at asap. I had this, but with poo. Cringe! Turned out I had a rectocele prolapse. While this wasn't ideal, I was relieved to know what was causing the issue. Thankfully it's fine now three years down the line, but that's after seeing a pelvic floor physio who taught me the right exercises.
Also, if you can't empty your bladder this morning apart from a trickle, I would go to A&E, as you may be in retention.

Agree with others, inability to urinate when you have a full bladder is a hospital job.

I will be able to squeeze it out eventually - it just takes time and a lot of attempts!

You're all helping me to feel slightly less embarrassed and I'm relieved it's not unheard of, although I am sorry for what you went through of course. I think I'll call the GP tomorrow and see if they can book me in...

Hmmm, you’re not really changing my mind that you need to be in front of a doctor today….

If you do end up waiting then when you call your GP in the morning and the receptionist asks you if it’s urgent , it 100% is. And then they’ll send you to A&E anyway because they don’t have the equipment to deal with bladder retention.

I would contact the hospital you gave birth in - let them know you are having problems, you may need a scan of your bladder and urgent care. Don't be embarrassed.
Having a preterm birth is a trauma and it sounds like you were quite unwell after, NICU mums often have to hit the ground running and it can be especially hard to prioritise your own health, or even realise things aren't 100 percent right.
Please get yourself checked up asap. There s lots that can be done to help once they get to the root cause of the issue.

There’s lots of things it might be, one of them is this: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/urinary-retention/ one of the ladies in the cubicle next to me had it. It meant she had to have a catheter again, much like PP above mentioned. Just to ensure her bladder was emptying rather than storing the urine. But please do see the GP, they’ve seen everything. Remember, they do prostate exams, they check people’s anus’ for fissures/piles daily - a little conversation about this won’t faze them.

I really don’t think you should wait until tomorrow. As @Cornettoninja says your GP won’t be able to treat it as they don’t have the equipment. They will most likely send you to A&E.

Also bear in mind the longer this goes on the more severe it is likely to be.

Have you anyone to look after the children today while you go to A&E?

please go and see the ED today, this is probably birth/catheter related but there is also something called cauda equina which is a bit more serious and would need urgent medical attention. Please brush off any feelings of not wanting to be a bother, this needs addressing today.

The hospital I gave birth to is the one I'd go to for emergency anyway - it's the easiest to get to! But if I turn up and then manage to pass urine, I'm worried I'll seem like a waste of time!

Husband is also working abroad at the moment, so I'd ideally need to palm elder two DDs off on someone for the day, since I don't think anyone would be too happy if I were to bring 3 kids with me! I'm BF DD3 and like I said, she's going through a very clingy/screamy stage, so I'd need to take her in with me.