post-birth incontinence

[CityDweller]

Did anyone's post-birth incontinence get worse as time went on? I'm 8 wks post partum and didn't really have any problems immediately post-birth, but stress incontinence started a couple of weeks ago and now I just seem to be leaking a bit even not in 'stress' situations. I'm doing my pelvic floors (perhaps could have been a bit more consistent about it), but am worried this is an ominous sign of things continuing to get worse...

I think you should see your GP re: getting a referral for physio - they can help and no, I don't think it should get worse with time ime.

Is it possible that you're not doing the pelvic floor exercises quite right so they're not being effective?

Do see someone though - there's no need for it to be a long term issue.

I did have a 6 week check, but at that point I was only having a bit of stress incontinence, which I thought was normal, so I didn't think to mention it (GP didn't ask me about incontinence anyway, just about bleeding and 'discharge'). It is getting worse though. My bleeding stopped around 5 weeks, and I've had to continue to wear a liner due to the stress incontinence, but havent' had a huge amount of leakage and one liner has lasted me all day and haven't needed one at night. Have noticed over the past few days, however, that the leakage is definitely worse (I've had to change liner during day and need one at night).

I think I'm doing the exercises correctly - I've done lots of Pilates so I'm pretty familiar with how to isolate and work those muscles, etc. Also, my birth wasn't particularly traumatic (vaginal, natural, no stitching, etc), so I'm a bit confused as to why it's worse now. I have had a cold the past week or so, so perhaps all that sneezing and nose-blowing has put extra strain on the muscles down there??

A friend of mine had a fairly good delivery, but had steadily worse incontinence over the next couple of months as she felt so well that she overdid things in the early weeks. Is it possible your straightforward birth has meant you're doing more than you should? My friend got a physio referral for a few sessions and things improved v quickly.

Yes - I expect I've totally been overdoing it! Have been getting out and about every day (since wk2), walking often quite far with baby in sling (she hates her pram!) and navigating public transport. I wonder if I do need a Physio referral or if it's a case of taking it a bit easier and being more diligent with the pelvic floor exercises...