3 weeks postpartum - still have weak bladder. Will it get better?

[EsmeWatson]

Hello need some help regarding urinary incontinence as it's really getting me down. Gave birth to beautiful DD 3 weeks ago who was a whopping 4.2 kgs! Had a VBAC and ended up with a 'small' tear and episiotomy. Ever since her birth i leak urine when I cough or if bladder gets too full. It has improved slightly and I've been doing PFE like crazy but I'm really worried this will be how I am forever. Has anyone else experienced this/ How long did it take to get better? Thanks heaps .

I had the same (also had episiotomy). Hadn't actually thought about it for a while, has definitely been better for several weeks (DD is 14 weeks old now). Maybe by about 6 or 7 weeks

If it's not any better by your six weeks check, then ask to be referred to an incontinence clinic.

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD, and ended up when pregnant with DS3 with terrible incontinece. It did get better after seeing someone from the IC, but now i'm pregnant again it's worse than ever.

Yes - it will

Yes! 1 in 5 women have continence problems! You are not alone! However, be patient! 3 weeks is nothing when it comes to bladders! It can take different people different amounts of time to recover but I don't think many people spring back after 3 weeks:) It's had a tough 9 months. When I got in touch with the incontinence clinic they said that they wouldn't even think of taking a course of action for at least 3 months. I am 10 months down the line and am only now starting to feel back to normal bladder wise. I still have wee "slips" like when I am in the shower (yuk, I know) but I am much better than I was. Keep doing your pelvics and you might want to think about wearing a pad? Okay, they aren't sexy, but they might help when you are out and about till things get back to normal...and they will and don't worry if it takes a wee bit longer than you like! You won't be wearing tena forever!

I had awful problems at 5 weeks, by 10 weeks its was mostly ok again. Now a year on my pelvic floor is like steel

Any tips on how to get the floor back to being able to stop pee mid flow? Still can't do that. I clench and the pee just keeps on coming!! I have been working on my pelvics but they don't seem to be getting all that stronger. Seeing a physio. Still much better than I was.

As some have said, you may well have problems when you get pregnant again, so be prepared for that!

I didn't really have issues after DC1 was born, in spite of lots of pushing. But as soon as Ai was pregnant with DC2 has to start wearing pads.

DC2 was born 4 weeks ago and it's terrible now, think I will need to be referred for physio but will wait and talk to GP at 6 week check.

Oh thanks so much everyone. Good to know I'm not alone. Just wish I'd thought about this before I agreed to a VBAC! Definitely would have gone for a CS again if I'd known. Cakemuncher I'm glad things have improved for you - but like you there is NO WAY on earth I could stop peeing midflow. Paschaelina I hope so much that I'll be like you. That's fantastic ! Did you do anything in particular that helped get you back to normal?

Squeeze and release, squeeze and release, repeat ad infinitum...

Over here in France ALL women receive on the NHS equivalent 6 weeks worth of physio to work on this. I didn't need it as I had a EMCS, but if you worry ask your GP to refer you

ditto re physio

i'm four months and not completely back to normal after third degree tear

physio great for finding out how im improving on my pelvic floors

Yes, you can indeed have problems after C-section :) - especially if you laboured at all. 9 months of pressure alone does a fair bit of damage. The things we women put up with...