Hi sorry I don’t often check this! But I thought I’d update.
My little boy is now 3 years old, I am likely not going to opt for a number 2.
My biggest advice to anyone, with bladder issues, urethra, pelvic floor is to see a specialist women’s health physio. See GP for referrals to gynae and urology to rule out anything underlying or potential causes.
I still suffer at times. I recognise when I will have a longer flare so perhaps up to a week compared to say an evening. Physio found I my pelvic floor if you imagine at 12pm is in hypertension. Often this is why when things like cystitis / uti you feel that pain, because there’s pain the muscles tenses and it’s a vicious cycle.
Urology deemed me clear of anything underlying and I didn’t opt for further follow up. I spent too much money at the uti clinic at Harley street and although, I may potentially have an embedded infection… I don’t think there methods were proven or perfected enough. Bladders and bugs are still in much need of research! Others would argue that, but it’s all about your own decisions and reading evidence to ensure you feel empowered to choose your care pathways.
I found that at about 18 months postnatal I would have less and less flares. If I was unwell, over tired, over dressed or if I did too much abs / hit exercise it would worsen. But if you think if you have a muscle in hypertension that would make it worse. I’m sure horomones defo we’re a trigger which makes sense for both possible embedded uti, or just hypertension. Our horomones impact muscles.
I do reverse kegals - so relaxations for pelvic floor/pelvis. I can now do hit / abs again. I can wear skinny jeans etc no bother. I do suffer with the hypertension, so I recognise this and will do rest days, and know my self care to help ease it. I take it easy when I need to. Time will have helped too, my horomones likely regulated. I would be worse at different points of my cycle. So I use a hormonal contraceptive. I use organic pads etc for periods, I take probiotics etc.
I am much better, but I’m not sure it’ll ever go. But compared to how I was, i would take this anyway. I look back to that post, and generally think, how did I have a lockdown baby and suffer with that. So if you’re going through this, remember your body is amazing, recovering and changing. You can keep going and there is help.
Everyone is different, but there are some great physios available. I won’t state my actually profession on here, but trust me I thought I was an expert with postnatal pelvic floors etc and I learnt so much from my private physio. She is fab! And I have continued to learn by research etc.
Please do get checked you can see nhs too, it’s just sessions are more limited and there’s a wait.
Symptoms for pelvic floor dysfunction really cross over, so above someone has weakness, so needs to kegal, but for me kegals are worse, so seeking professional help is best. See your GPs etc.
I hope this post helps some what. I am back seeing my physio as I’ve increased my training and don’t want to go backwards. I plan a half marathon in a few months, although I may accept it’ll be my last depending on the aftermath. She’s so busy these days too, which shows how many women suffer a range of pelvic floor conditions and the growing awareness. Women’s health is under funded and ignored a lot in the health system, so you may need to push for things. But please remember you are not alone.
Hope this helps.
x