To want to cure my stress incontinence!

[stressincontinence]

Name changed as I am quite embarrassed by this situation. I am 35, 2 kids (2 and 7), both vaginal deliveries. Since having my second I have had very slight stress incontinence - so e.g if I have known I've needed the toilet but thought I had a bit of time, then sneezed and leaked. In the last month I've had a bad cough and I am literally passing myself multiple times a day - using sanitary towels at all times. I'm absolutely mortified.
I do do my pelvic Floor exercises but maybe I don't do enough? or don't do them right - I'm not sure. I am also ttc and concerned that if I am successful, this will wreck whatever is left of my pelvic floor :s

Please has anyone got any advice? is it worth investing in one of the electrical pelvic floor trainers (like elvie)? or are they just a gimmick? Is it too late and my pelvic floor is already wrecked?

I know that this isn't technically AIBU but I'm desperate- please help!

didn't mean to enable voting!

Gp can usually refer to specialist womens incontinence service. Usually it's a nurse and physio.

Definitely get referred for specialist help.

you want to be careful of doing certain exercises, stuff like running and other high intensity styff can make it worse in some instances. Speak to a proper womens health physio!

Dont be embarrassed, please go and speak with your GP. It's more common than you think. I got referred to hospital and womans physio, it was a life changer for me. You dont have to put up with this!

thankyou all. @bluebuddha10 can I ask what the women's physio actually said/did to you? I know it would be different for everyone but I really have no idea what to expect

Are you doing too many pelvic floor exercises? I've sometimes overdone it then pissed myself the next day when the muscles were tired.

I saw a woman's health physio after my 2nd baby. My GP referred me as I thought I had a prolapse.
She took a detailed history and then did a physical (internal) examination - I had to lie on the couch and "squeeze" so she could feel how strong my pelvic floor was. She also tested this with me standing which seemed a bit weird! But I found it much harder to squeeze those muscles when standing so it makes sense I guess. I didn't need to see her again but I know they do see women more than once so you could learn if you were doing the exercises right. With regard to the exercises, she told me it's really important to leave the full "rest" time in between each squeeze and in that time really try to fully relax everything before the next squeeze.

@DuchessSilver thats a good question. I don't think so but I have started doing more in the last couple of weeks since the problem became so bad, so maybe i am making it worse?

@Anotherunimaginativeusername thanks - did she suggest any different exercises other than the squeezing? and did she recommend using any of the electrical devices? or have you tried them?

Check out this page for ideas

supportedmums.com/

I've been going to classes with Amanda for years - she knows her stuff

I waited YEARS before I saw a specialist physio who sorted me out in three weeks. She advised me to reduce my tea consumption massively and set me bladder training exercises and diarise fluid in and out - ironically my pelvic floor was strong but I was so paranoid about leaking that I had over the years reduced my bladder's ability to cope holding urine. I am so glad I saw her, I was about to buy my own kegel but it wouldn't have helped. I self funded- I was referred on the NHS but am still waiting to be seen. It was the best money I have ever spent!

@stressincontinence
I was examined and given ultra sound by specialist to rule out any major problems. Then saw the womans physio weekly for a while who talked me through exercises etc (gave me 'homework'), gave me a device as well, to help do exercises correctly. The specialist also diagnosed an overactive bladder, and prescribed medication as well, which I still take and really helps