To think normalising incontinence in young mums is wrong

[Mammajay]

I just saw an advert tag line with the young mum saying..a little bit of wee won't stop me being me '. This is from Silhouette and Always are running a similar campaign. For most people, leaking is not normal and there are lots of things which can be done to correct incontinence. There is no shame in leaking, of course, but especially for younger women, it should not be normalised

I agree actually, it’s not normal. Common yes, but that’s not the same thing. We should be encouraging women to seek help not accept it

Commercially, it makes a lot of sense.
There a bubble demographic having kids and that demographic is heavily impacted by health (incl. maternity) budget cuts and the excessive emphasis on a "natural" birth.

Unfortunately, lifelong postnatal incontinence in women is inexpensive and, yes, natural.

It's a scandal I'm reminded of every time I see one of those obnoxious ads (now women have to be fucking sexy whilst piddling themselves?) and makes me 🤨 with the eyebrows of a Scottish regimental.

I saw the advert and initially thought similar, to be honest. However, I have absolutely no idea how common it actually is. I doubt it's going to stop people trying to prevent incontinence but is more aimed at helping those who do suffer with it not feel ashamed of it.

Yes, I agree. Raising awareness is a good thing, but women shouldn't feel they need to rely on pads as a long term solution as if it's normal to leak because of course it's not. There are many effective treatments available.

If men were pissing themselves due to excessive wanking we'd all be wearing ribbons and singing a song over it.

Women give birth and wet themselves - "here, love, some sexy black lace incontinence pants".

👏

The post natal physios at my hospital used to rightfully get into a froth over Tena ads. Practically shouting at us 'Don't let anyone tell you its normal seek help!' I've not forgotten it.
I'm so angry at the advert where women describe wetting themselves in such a lighthearted manner.
So if you piss when you sneeze please please see your GP and don't be fobbed off

Totally agree OP. I work in maternity care and since moving from the UK, I have realised what little information women in the UK are given post birth regarding their pelvic floor and how to prevent/treat incontinence. Where i am now, all women see a physio and there is a lot of emphasis on rebuilding strength in that area in physio-led postnatal exercise classes.

@Picsinred it's actually pregnancy that causes most of the impact on a woman's pelvic floor, not vaginal birth. The additional weight for over 9 months impacts women who have caesarean sections too.

It doesn't have to be natural. It's not natural in France for example. It's treated as a medical problem rather than a done deal or a consequence of pregnancy and childbirth.

It's too commercialised here. It's an opportunity to sell products.

I had exactly this conversation with some friends recently, one of whom lives abroad and was shocked and at how casually we accepted it. I've been doing my kegels ever since and honestly, am pleased to report a noticeable improvement. TMI?!

boredpanda84
Manner of birth and complications are significant contributing factors.

YANBU. I hate this. I was very fortunate to escape from pregnancy with an undamaged pelvic floor and no issues, but some friends are having issues with incontinence when exercising or laughing and coughing and it's a bit galling for a) the adverts to be so lighthearted, like it's just a bit of a hilarious 'whoopsie!! and b) for them to give the impression that postnatal incontinence is just part of 'being a mum' and to be accepted

Fully agree. It really frustrates me as it implies women should treat the problem as opposed to the root cause!

*Pics
*
now women have to be fucking sexy whilst piddling themselves?)

That made me laugh out loud!!! 😂😂😂

By normalising subjects they become less taboo and, therefore, hopefully, people will be less embarrassed about talking about such matters, but, hey ho, you crack on making people feel “not normal” about things they can’t control.

You’re absolutely right, OP. I couldn’t get over those ads. Women shouldn’t have to be buying products to cope with incontinence. They should be seeking help to sort it out.

I suspect stress incontinence has been fairly common for decades.

Totally agree. I hate the “tee hee oops!” way Tena market their products.

It sends the message that incontinence is just one of those things that happens to women and is no big deal... just buy Tena and put up with it.

I’m 41. I had 2 horrendous labours and have never felt the same since. The first one in 2003 I had an episiotomy and they cut me too much and I needed emergency surgery. The second in 2011 I suffered both a clitoral tear and a haemorrhage which has left me feeling like a 90 year old ever since.

I wear a Lidl version of a Tena lady every single day and it’s now normal to me.
Except it’s not.

This thread has made me think about speaking to my doctor.

Pissing yourself after having a baby, for at least for a little while, is both normal and common after either a natural, assisted, or emergency c-section delivery. That’s what the risks behind c-sections vs natural / assisted births don’t take into account - you are far more likely to he left incontinent (sometimes doubly) if you don’t have a planned c-section.

By saying it’s not normal you are actually denying a fact. The truth is we don’t have accurate statistics yet because incontinence considered a natural event after a vaginal birth and most women suffer minor issues that can often be fixed with pelvic floor exercises and rehabilitation.

However, if you are a working woman who is pissing yourself it’s very likely you have a deadline, and sometimes it’s hard for women to even fathom returning into a working environment in 6-9 months when they are still incontinent (sometimes doubly incontinent). The Always pants are aimed at them and I think it’s a good thing.

We have no idea how common stress incontinence is. I know even 10 years ago from experience that going to the GP about this just led to me being given a leaflet about pelvic floor exercises, and that was it. I know they do more now.
TENA I think realised there was a lot of women using sanitary towels or panty liners, and started to cater specifically for them.

I often rant about this.

Incontinence is not something women should just put up with. These bloody adverts should add a comment regarding seeking medical advice.

If men were pissing themselves due to excessive wanking we'd all be wearing ribbons and singing a song over it.

I’m sorry but that made me laugh. But no, it shouldn’t be normalised with all these women dancing and laughing and looking so fucking happy that they’re pissing themselves.

I’ve been moaning about these adverts in our house since they started , we all know that women of all ages can be incontinent for a whole variety of reasons , that doesn’t mean it’s normal and that you just accept it and wear incontinence pants .

I live and have given birth in France. I’ve seen lots of snide remarks both on Mn and in other places about the pelvic floor retraining that women in France are routinely offered after birth, suggesting that it’s a man-pleasing thing, whereas ime, it’s singularly focused on avoiding potential incontinence. I think women in the uk should be pushing for this as well.

I agree

I’ve had 4 Vaginal delivery’s

Never settled for anything, had a repair after no4 just for me and I’m so happy I did.