Postpartum urinary incontinence after catheter removal, is this normal?

[Birthquestion]

I gave birth yesterday early hours of the morning to DD2 and had a catheter. It was removed and I have been going to the bathroom fine since. I just went into the bathroom and while standing up felt a gush which turned out to be my bladder. It had completely emptied itself with no warning. Has anyone experienced this? Was it a one off? I know to do my pelvic floor exercises but am concerned my bladder is damaged

Common but not “normal”, if that makes sense. Let your midwife know, you can be referred for post partum physio to help your pelvic floor. Or see a private women’s physio. Your body has been through an awful lot so it will improve with time and some physio! Congratulations on your baby ☺️

Thank you :-) I spoke to the midwife a few hrs ago who said she can refer me for physio if needed. I was worried as my entire bladder emptied rather than a trickle and I was unable to squeeze my pelvic floor muscles to stop it. I thought when people had incontinence it was a trickle rather than an uncontrollable rush iyswim?

Did you feel like you needed the loo? I had to “prove” I could feel when I needed to go before I was allowed to leave to check for bladder damage. Don’t let yourself be fobbed off. That’s not normal and women deserve medical treatment.

I had the same problem after total knee replacement. Catheter was removed, bladder control failed a couple times. Horrid horrid feeling!

I managed without Physio to get control back; pelvic floor exercises and general fitness regime.

You’ll be fine but if you feel reassured by getting into the NHS Physio system, take up everything offered.

Congratulations for your new baby too. 💐

I had this a few times post partum with my first, I actually can’t remember if I had a catheter but it was never attributed to that, more just to pelvic floor damage as I had an assisted delivery. I got pelvic floor physio on the NHS and it got better in time. It really freaked me out when it happened though! But it’s not uncommon apparently.

I can feel my bladder is full and it happened both times in the bathroom as I was stood up before I sat on the toilet, the last time being a few minutes ago. I'm worried this is permanent. Has anyone had this happen just a few times? It's so embarrassing and I'm worried I'll do it in my sleep.

It’s been a couple of years and this happened to be the on day 2 and day 3 after giving birth. It then seemed to resolve itself in a couple of days and I was back to normal. It was quite the shock as I sat up in bed but the nurses were so kind to me.

I’m not saying it is nothing but for me at least it got better a couple of days later so let your body recover after birth at bit.

editing to add that I had a catheter due to forceps and a spinal block. So my catheter was in for about 24 hours or so.

Yes, actually very common in the first few days after catheter removal and/or birth with epidural.

It is usually temporary.

How are you getting on? I experienced this too. Thankfully it sorted itself out after a day or two, by the time physio called I no longer needed them. I've never had the strongest bladder so I just make sure I don't leave it too long but I'd say it was back to similar pre pregnancy level after a few weeks. Hope it's better for you!