post baby bladder control- leaking when exercising

[JacksonPollocks]

I had a long labour (particularly at the end, many hours at 10cm while he was stuck, born on way to ecs), episiotomy, biggish baby and slight tearing.

I paid attention to exercises and have been really good with them. I've in the 14 months since seen a huge improvement in my pelvic floor, my dh comments ex is the same and I have great muscle control compared to before. Sorry if tmi but it's all tight.

This though hasn't helped solve my bladder control fully. I can sneeze and cough but running or jogging is beyond me. I feel embarrassed that at 28 I can't join in with PE with the kids (I'm a teacher) or the teacher's race because I know I'd have a wet patch. It's impacted on my fitness as I've given up trying to run and I'll only do aerobics at home with a DVD and a sanitary towel.

I'd love to be 'normal' again, muck around on the trampoline with kids etc. and take up running. Is there anything I can do? All the midwives spoke of was pelvic floor, but I've been a saint with them and as I said I've seen improvements in muscle tone yet it doesn't stop the leaking. I feel like an old lady showering after I do the 30 day shred and doing it at weird hours so no one notices the wee smell/ wet patch if it goes through (obviously I go to the loo straight before and during)/

explain all this to your GP and ask for a referral for physio.

Tena pads and close fitting knickers .
I suffered for years - thought it was all my fault and that I must be doing my pelvic floor exercises inadequately .
Anyway ,eventually had a TVT - don't let yours drag on .

Am so sorry . Definitely get a referral to a specialist gynae physio. Even though you think you are doing the pelvic floor exercises right, you might not be and a physio will be able to advise you. You might also need a bit of extra help - I've been using Neurotrac Continence and my physio reports that in 6 weeks my pelvic floor strength has gone from 0/5 to 2/5 and in some places 3/5! Might also be worth getting a referral to a gynae who specialises in pelvic floor issues. There's loads that can be done to improve things. If you are in London, I can recommend my physio and gynae if it would help, although I am seeing them privately. PM me if you like. X

I've googled TVT, may I ask what level you where at to require this gingeroots? Leaking in exercise or a general leek. Sorry to be personal but other's reaction to me has pretty much been 'use a pad when you exercise'.

cardamon- I've been really into yoga/ pilates for many years with quite a focus on pelvic floor (!) so I'm quite confident I'm good at them, as I said I've seen a huge improvement in tone it's just a bladder issue now. I'm thought definitely open to checking this out getting over the crushing embarrassment at some point and seeing the GP.

I'm in London but private is not an option, thank you for the kind offer but it's NHS for me!

Thank you hugely for sharing your experience, it's helping me build up to accepting it's an issue worthy of the GP and not something to accept.

jacksonPollacks - hi ,well yes I did leak all the time ,not just when I exercised .
I guess if I sat still I didn't leak ,but if my bladder was even a little full and I moved or lifted or sneezed I'd leak ,if that makes sense .
I was using 2 or 3 large Tena pads a day and still getting soaked ,even my clothes sometimes .
But I've always drank loads and didn't reduce this even when I was leaking .

That's terrible for you to be told to wear a pad when you exercise !
You need to be referred - they'll do tests like giving you a pad ,sending you off to walk about ( after you've drunk a certain amount if my memory is correct ) and then they weigh the pad .
They'll test how well you're doing the exercises .
I would think that as you've exercised so well ( better than me by the sounds of it ! ) and are still leaking ,that they would recommend you for the TVT .
It really does lower your self esteem ,but you so shouldn't be embarrased by it .
The clinic at the hospital were very used to it and evryone is very nice - if you've had a baby it's no worse than everything you go through with that .
Not to mention a million times less painful and stressful .
( though to be absolutely honest I got so upset about my incontinence ,felt I was a failure and it was all my fault and that I couldn't be exercising correctly that the clinic referred me for CBT .Which I al;so failed at ,but that's another story ! )

Thank you HUGELY for sharing. Seriously. I don't have much to say in response but it's a massive help to hear you.

I''m also massively into pilates and have very good body awareness. Was convinced I was doing pelvic floors correctly. But due to the damage I have, including some nerve damage (not wanting to scare you!) I wasn't! So it might still be worth getting it checked. As much as anything, if you are doing them just fine but still have these problems, then that is valuable information that will help with diagnosis and treatment plans. I have a cystocele (amongst other horrors) which is where the bladder and urethra collapses down into the front of the vaginal wall. This is partly due to pelvic floor damage, but also due to damage to the vaginal muscles. It is most noticeable after I've exercised, when things really collapse inwards. What might be useful is for you to have a feel internally before you exercise, have a good work out (the more jumping around the better!) and then have a feel afterwards. Your muscle tone may well be good enough to hold everything up enough when you are at rest or just doing normal everyday stuff, but not strong enough to keep things together when you exercise. Useful info for the GP/consultant.

Other than the test that ginger describes, the 'gold standard' test for bladder dysfunction like this is urodynamics where they do things with tubes and pressure sensors - can't give a better description as I haven't had mine yet. I have that particular joy next week .

My gynae, Vik Khullar, is at St Mary's on the NHS. He is FAB and LOVELY.

I have been attending 'continence clinic' at my local NHS hospital with specialist physio, and using the Neuro trac as well. I am older than you but was determined not to be a tena-lady
You should not have to rely on pads forever, so bite the bullet and get down to your GP for referral

BBwannaB, something about you has given me a kick up the arse! I will, this week :)

Well done Jackson I hope you get the results you need. Good Luck!