Embarrassed about going to the GP for stress incontinence

[ThomasRichard]

I've had two DC. DC2 was the very happy result of an unplanned pregnancy soon after I had had major abdominal surgery (she was born within a year of surgery) I don't know if that might have made things worse?

I am fed up with having to worry about wearing Tena pads to do any form of exercise, or for a week before I'm due on my period, when it seems to get worse, or when I'm feeling under the weather, which also seems to make things worse.

I went to see a physiotherapist once but they got irritated because I couldn't do any pelvic floor exercises without tensing my abs. I can't even feel my pelvic floor muscles

Any tips on how I can fix this without going to the GP?

Please go to GP they will have heard it all before they may well give you referral for physio or check over in case something going on that can be fixed. Often these things can be improved, you owe it to yourselves to try. Xx

I went to the Drs after ds2. I was struggling in aerobics, as it was called then! Things were pretty bad tbh. I Had tried all sorts of pelvic exercises.
I eventually had an operation. Best thing ever and has transformed my life.
This was 16 years ago and there's still no sign of pelvic floor weakness.

Please go to your doctor. It'll make such a difference.

That's interesting about having an op. What did it entail, if you don't mind saying?

I'm worried that I'll just get referred back to the same physio.

I am very surprised at the attitude of that physio. I had to be taught to not clench my stomach muscles when doing the pelvic floors. It's quite difficult not to. The docs always want you to give the physio a right good go first. Did the physio do an internal exam to check the muscle tone or muscle damage on the four walls? Tell the GP about your physio experience. It is not your fault if the physio could not find an approach to instruct you in such a way that you found it easy to manage.
They don't like doing the operations if they think you will have another baby. So some docs may put you off. There is a fairly simple TVT operation for leakage incontinence, however you might have to have your next baby by C section or expect to have to repeat the op afterwards.
Try to get referred to a Gynae.