Continance problems post birth

[chimichanga1976]

It's been 9wks since I had baby, a forceps with episiotomy delivery. Although I'm doin my pelvic floors daily I still wee myself if I don't get to loo in time so, as you can imagine, I'm super careful about going out and about. However, the most mortifying thing happened the other day.

I've recently started back at the gym and started easy just walking on treadmill, gradually increasing incline and pace to make it more challenging. No probs there. Really missed my high intensity Body Combat and Body Attack classes so went to the Attack class yesterday, had a pad on anyway as had just finished period. Unfortunately there's a lot of Jumping Jack moves, IYKWIM, in this class and this specific move I was weeing myself with every one! Just could not stop it every time I jumped and landed with my legs apart!!

So I'm trying to descreetly look down to check I haven't wet my pants or even that it wasn't on the floor but in the end I just left the class 20mins into it, which I was gutted about. Went to the loo and although the pad was wet, nothing had come through onto knickers. I then went to shop to buy more absorbant pads which I will wear to classes cos I'm damned if I'm gonna let this stupid problem win! Even if I have to wear 2 pads!

Also, I need to talk poo now, soz! I always go in the house, fortunately, as today I almost pooed my pants as it just comes out of nowhere and there's no stopping it, IYKWIM!! Yikes!! Not diarrhoea, just normal, but if I clench my muscles it doesn't stop the no.1s or the no.2s coming out.

Has anyone had any experience of continence issues after giving birth? I'm seriously worried. The Reg said she's not worried as it's normal up to 6months to have issues but I hadn't been to the gym when I saw her. I wonder if this is a normal childbirth prob or is it specifically caused by the episiotomy, which I believe severs the nerves to the bladder and they have to grow back. Unsure how long that takes tho.

I've got an appointment at Physio tomorrow re this so I will see wot they say and let you know. Can't think wot else they'll say other than wot I'm doing already. Wondering if this will clear up on it's own or am I gonna need an op in the future cos I sure as hell can't go on like this for long.

Any advice or if anyone can relate to this it'd be much appreciated, girls, cheers.

Hi
Hugely embarrassing isn't it! I think it's fairly normal at 9 weeks you know. I had a couple of episodes of not quite making it for a number 2 in the first few weeks. Gradually improved and all pretty much back to normal from about 3-4 months. Weeing took much longer and still bit of a concern with major coughing fit, but most women who've had a vaginal delivery have this issue.

Keep doing the pelvic floor exercises and give it some time.

Really hope things improve for you.

Some loose-ness down there is common after birth, especially during exercise, and should go away eventually if you keep up the pelvic floor exercises and follow your physio's advice.

Are you sure you should be doing such strenuous exercise just 9 weeks after the birth though? I would build up slowly if I were you. Forcing yourself back to strenuous exercise like jumping jacks etc so soon after birth will only cause more damage. Stick to your pelvic floor exercises and gentle work-outs for now and see what your physio says before you do anything new at the gym

I had episiotomy & forceps (& 4th degree tear) birth 12 weeks ago and saw my physio at around 8 weeks after birth. I found it very helpful as although i thought i was doing my pelvic floor excercises she helped me make sure i really was working them. Have seen physio agan just this week and there is a marked improvement (although still weak). So you should find it good in a sense that you are helping your own recovery. Also just be prepared for it to take a bit longer than you hoped to get back to 'normal'.

Try your class again but just do the low impact version rather than the full star jumps. I'm assuming you have probably mentioned to the instructor that you had a baby recently and if they know what they are doing they will show you the low impact version of each move.

I thankfully havent had any accidents to date but when i have to go, i gotta go so i always make sure i know where the loo is when i'm out.

I have had two very straight forward births and can tell you that urinary incontience is very common and normal at 9 week PP. I imagine there are lots and lots of mothers who can NEVER do star jumps again. That doesn't mean they couldn't, it's just that some exercises really exert a particular pressure.

TBH, I'd give your pelvic floor a proper rest. If you think of it as a hammock, if it's still streched then just doing more exercise is going to make it worse not strenghten it.

I am a runner and even though my youngest is nearly 3 I can still experience problems when I race.

I imagine pilates or yoga would be a better exercise to strengthen your core muscles and you could do cycling or swimming for the old heart!