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Original poster

So how incontinent are you?

59 replies

VoluptuaGoodshag · 14/01/2008 15:40

I'm trying to gauge my own against others to see if I need medical help. Never had any problems up until being a mother. First child was a CS but still significantly incontinent compared to before. Second child was a VBAC and now I'm hopeless.

I have to go to the loo before I do anything. If I'm slightly constipated then the pressure makes it even worse. I find that if I lean ever so slightly forwards (like if I bend over the basin or sink to wash my hands) then it leaks and there is no amount of squeezing can stop it even if I've just been to the loo.

Pah! So how does this compare to anyone else?

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 14/01/2008 15:44

HAve to say that does sound quite severe. I was/am fanatical about my pelvic floor excercises (it was the first piece of advice my mother gave me when I told her I was pregnant - never even heard of them beofre that) and I am so glad that I am. No incontinence her even when using the skipping rope. I think you need to see your gp about this

ComeOVeneer · 14/01/2008 15:46

We should ask mnhq to put a flashing reminder or something at the top off the page, what better way to get hundreds of women to do their excercises daily. Imagine how many you could do whilst sat infront of MN?

TheBlonde · 14/01/2008 15:46

No incontinence here despite having a fairly battered pelvic floor

You should definitely see your GP

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 14/01/2008 15:47

I will admit I've been lax with my pelvic exercises. I had my two in quick succession and am permenantly exhausted (note to self, must try harder)

OP posts:
Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 14/01/2008 15:48

I'm doing mine now. Just the mention of them does make me do them but I always seem to hold my breath which is why I get put off doing them (and one, two, three, hold ........................)

OP posts:
tigana · 14/01/2008 15:50

you are 'worse' than me...if that's any help!?
I am just at risk when I sneeze or cough and do not have a totally, absolutely arridly empty bladder
Am trying to get with the pelvic floor exercises this year!

Hecate · 14/01/2008 15:50

That does sound quite bad, tbh. I tend to leak if I've a fullish bladder, or if I cough a lot, or laugh a lot.

CatIsSleepy · 14/01/2008 15:52

pretty much the same as Hecate.
also if I have a fullish bladder just the sound of running water makes me leak a bit

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 14/01/2008 15:55

Right I am going to make a monumental effort with my pelvics and see if that makes a difference, if not then I'll go to the docs. I don't want to go just now and just be fobbed off with "you should do more exercises dear. Get a little time to yourself"

Yes I sodding know but why don't you come and babysit for me then

OP posts:
Hecate · 14/01/2008 15:55

You know, it's just occurred to me that mumsnet meetups must be a bit.....ripe. 50odd weak pelvic floors in an enclosed space? The dance floor must be a deathtrap and by the end of the night they must be wading to the bar!

Blandmum · 14/01/2008 16:08

Not in the slightest. I can jump up and down and cough at the same time. I can 'hang on' like a good un, and could make dh wince during nookie!

Maidamess · 14/01/2008 16:09

I didn't think I was until I was confidently skipping at circuit training, lay down to do some sit ups and saw the dark stain in my pale grey trousers.

So now, I wear black trousers, and I don't do skipping!

fedup1981 · 14/01/2008 16:16

I often but not always leak when I sneeze, cough or laugh, and I can't stop the flow when I do go for a wee. If I don't go absolutely first thing in the morning before doing anything else (I've had to pee with a baby on my shoulder before now) I'm likely to wet myself, and that's when I don't even drink anything in the two hours before bed.

I did consider doing to GP about it but he's not very nice and I couldn't face the embarassment.

TheBlonde · 14/01/2008 16:28

if you hold your breath then you are doing the PFE wrong apparently

sallystrawberry · 14/01/2008 16:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whomovedmychocolate · 14/01/2008 16:34

I haven't had a problem but then I was obsessive about my pelvic floor exercises both pre and post partum (I used to do them while breastfeeding).

You should definitely see the GP and ask to be referred - an obstetric physiotherapist can give you a special device which has weights on which can tone the general area. Or you may need a quick remedial surgical thing done - either is very effective.

Don't ignore it because the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to treat as muscle tone will be lost.

QuintessentialShadow · 14/01/2008 16:42

Only if I make a sudden sneeze and not manage to cross my legs in time, like if I am driving.

You should see a doctor.

QuintessentialShadow · 14/01/2008 16:42

Only if I make a sudden sneeze and not manage to cross my legs in time, like if I am driving.

You should see a doctor.

Liz79 · 14/01/2008 18:22

4 weeks after ventouse. Thought I'd gotten away with it until I had sickness and diarrhoea yesterday, leaked urine every time I vomited. Ok with coughing sneezing everything else though. Not good with PFE's tend only to do them when they are mentioned or I read it somewhere, do about 5 squeezes and then get bored , only myself to blame. No I haven't been doing them manically since discovering this weakness, you'd think it would of spurred me on.

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 15/01/2008 12:59

So do you think if I do them avidly for the next week I should see some difference? How long does it take to make a difference if starting from my pathetic state?

OP posts:
Liz79 · 15/01/2008 13:45

I have no idea but have decided my problem is probably worse than I thought. You should definatly do them for a good while before seeing the doctor as his first action would only be to tell you to go away and do them.

mymama · 15/01/2008 13:47

Pretty good generally. Can hold on well unless really needing the loo.

Can't jump on trampoline or skip though

FrannyandZooey · 15/01/2008 13:52

I don't think you need to see your doctor - I think you need to do your pelvic floor exercises

it will start to make a difference almost immediately but it may take a month or two for you to notice the difference

princessmel · 15/01/2008 13:57

How do you know if you're doing them right??

I cross my legs when I sneeze. Never had an accident but feel the need to cross anyway.
Always wake to wee in the night.

bozza · 15/01/2008 14:05

I am not as bad as you I would say. I have trouble when sneezing but can brace so that is OK, coughing which is worse because if you have a bad cough (I tend to get them in winter) it can be prolonged and hard to hold yourself for that time, vomitting but this is very rare anyway. I am OK with laughing and general movement around and I don not have to get up during the night. I cannot run though, that really seems to set me off.

I have been to the doctor but she just said do pelvic floors despite my saying I can't do them right.