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Original poster

Pelvic Floor - TMI alert!

23 replies

PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 08:53

Those of you pregnant with your first DCs, let this be a warning to you!

I am pregnant with DC2 and have had to go and buy a pack of Tena Lady pads as every time I cough, sneeze (or puke), I leak. Quite a lot, if my bladder is full. And it's not amnio fluid. Luckily it's only been at home so far. Blush

I've had this problem a little bit since having DD a few years ago when I have a cough/cold but it's definitely worse since getting pregnant.

The thing is, I did my pelvic floor exercises when pg with DD (not loads, but off and on). I went to an ante-natal exercise class where the teacher taught us lots of good exercises and tried to do them whenever I could.

Do any other 2nd/3rd/4th/5th-timers have the same problem and have you found any remedies? Have any of you had physio for it? Is there hope for me?

No one seems to talk about this!

First-timers, let this be a warning to you - do your pelvic floor exercises!!

OP posts:
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KatieWatie · 19/02/2011 09:01

Thank you for posting this, I'm a first timer and I definitely need to hear other people's horror stories (not that this is a horror, but you know what I mean) to motivate me into doing this sort of thing as I'm terribly lazy when it comes to looking after myself.

I will heed your warning!

linziluv · 19/02/2011 09:25

I'm 27 weeks with my second...also did pelvic floor exercises and single handedly keep tenas in business! Had a cough for a while so even worse at the moment! Hoping things return to normal once she's here!

Original poster
PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 10:00

Thanks linzi, not just me then! Am also hoping things return to normal after birth...but I'm so worried they won't.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
iskra · 19/02/2011 10:55

blimey this has put the fear of god into me. I'm 10 weeks with no 2 - hoping the pelvic floor stands up to it....

jenga079 · 19/02/2011 11:00
stottiecake · 19/02/2011 11:06

oh meeee toooo! Was contemplating starting a conversation myself!!

Only been a problem since becoming pg with number 2. Just coughing and sneezing.

Gah.

CBear6 · 19/02/2011 11:20

Same here. Pregnant with No2 (technically No4) did pelvic floor exercises religiously all the way through with DS and afterwards, have kept them up off and on since and have done them daily since getting pregnant this time.

And I still dribble.

I'm coming up on 10 weeks so it's nothing too bad right now, it's just I my bladder is full and I cough or sneeze or puke I'll leak a little bit. If I'm busting for the loo when out shopping I'll have a little leak in the time between actually getting to the loo and getting my knicks off (it's like my muscles relax at the sight of the bowl). If my bladder is empty or close enough to empty then I don't leak, I'm hoping it stays that way!

So yes first timers, squeeze those pelvic floor muscles!

EmmaBGoode · 19/02/2011 11:22

I had months of physio for my weak pelvic floor and it did nothing. In the end, it was recommended that I have laser surgery (they don't do it on the NHS, unfortunately).

Crawling · 19/02/2011 11:35

I had this after DC2 was born things didnt improve sorry. I have seen a physio who said vaginal cones are muuch more effective than pelvic floors and told me to buy some. They were doing wonders but I am now pg with no 3.

You cant use them when pg but I reccommed anyone buying them for use after the baby is born and you have had your 6 week check I picked some up for about £20 and they really are great. If anyone wants to try I can link to some.

clarabella18 · 19/02/2011 11:44

Snap! 27 weeks with dc2 and wear a tenna pretty much everyday! And I did my pelvic floors religiously!

Rubbish innit!

MrsNoggin · 19/02/2011 12:24

Erm yes, I'm afraid I get this. Often when sneezing and not pregnant too! Blush

DC2 seems to like pummeling my bladder from inside and occasionally plants a well-aimed kick that takes me by surprise and makes me glad for my Always Envive. Which, by the way, I would recommend very highly - I much prefer them to Tena. The 'liner plus' (I think) with the pink wrapper is just the right size for the annoyingly copious pregnancy discharge I am subjected to, and the odd trickle. Smell nice too Grin.

Sparklies · 19/02/2011 14:37

I did loads of pelvic floor exercises with my first pregnancy. Never really leaked during pregnancy. Spent well over an hour pushing really hard against a cervical lip until the midwife bothered checking, and bye bye pelvic floor and it's been that way ever since. No exercises fix it. It never got worse with DC2 and it's no worse in my pregnancy with DC3.

I found that wearing a mooncup when out running helped leakage massively, but it's not practical to have in all the time in case of sneezes etc. Well, it might be, but it just seemed wrong!

Sparklies · 19/02/2011 14:38

btw I don't use the Mooncup in pregnancy.. if I have a cold it's back to Tena lady!

thell · 19/02/2011 14:44

Ugh, yes preg with child #2, and puking was the worst - I wet myself twice during particularly strong vomits Confused

Things much better now I don't have nausea anymore, but I'm def feeling more pressure in my ladybits than before.

clouiseg · 19/02/2011 15:17

7 months pregnant with dc4 (8th pregnancy) and I think a little bit of incontinence is par for the course!!! At least thats what I tell myself when it...ahem...'happens! Grin

Tbh its not too much of a prob, I have noticed that I HAVE TO GO as soon as I get the urge Blush and if I try to stop the flow part way through it still trickles (SO sorry tmi!) but as long as I go regularly it seems to improve iyswim?

I have to cross my legs when I sneeze and DH calls me 'incontinence annie'Angry but I also have a friend with no dcs who has the same problem!! Confused

I DO however, avoid trampolines at all costs, when not pg obviously! We had a bbq last year (11 months after dd3 was born) and I was on it with my eldest DD...and I got caught out by the downward bounce...which was swiftly followed by a gymnastic style dismount and dash back in the house to change!! I was questioned about my new outfit by everyone, and am convinced they knew but hey ho! Blush!!

Oh the joys of what we women have to deal with!! Grin

MandaHugNKiss · 19/02/2011 15:36

At the risk of incurring hateful looks, I think it's nice to try and counter-balance a little by reassuring first-timers that although this does happen to a LOT of women, despite doing pelvic floor exercises, that some women will also be 'lucky'.

I've seriously never had so much of a drop of leakage and dc3 was 9lb 12oz so I'm guessing my pelvic floor was under considerable strain!

I know, I know; you all hate me.

(Incidently, I remember reading somewhere, years ago, that regular sex/orgasms throughout pregnancy could be benefial in keeping everything toned up 'down there' - maybe I'm just proof of that theory Blush)

Original poster
PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 16:16

I am so so happy to know that it's not just me!

I had to push 3 hours with DD's birth (silly girl wrapped arms around her head) so perhaps that's what my issue is.

Has anyone tried the TENS machines (when not pregnant, obviously) that have an insert for toning things up down there?

Does anyone know how much the laser treatment costs?

OP posts:
CBear6 · 19/02/2011 17:38

@ pukeymummy I was pushing three hours too and DS had a massive head - wonder if that what wrecked things lol

theonlyhb2 · 20/02/2011 11:03

i am doing them as I read this!!!!

nitnatnaboo · 21/02/2011 23:16

Still puking at 18 weeks and now have to sit on the toilet and puke in the bath, due to non existent pelvic floor.
Will now be investigating Tena products!

shadycharacter · 22/02/2011 10:23

Hmm, I didn't have any leaking at all whilst pregnant with my first and was only pushing for about 20mins.

I did my pelvic floor exercises AND I'm still only young and springy (midwife's words) but I'm 34 weeks and sometimes get a teeny trickle if I sit down too hard/quick. It's also really difficult to know when I've actually emptied my bladder! Hmm I've had this since around 14 weeks. I think it must just be the pressure on the bladder rather than crappy pelvic floor, because I never had this after DS1 at all (well, until now...in pregnancy)

Also during sex, I really feel like I'm going to pee myself, rather explosively as I approach orgasm, I reckon I quite possibly would if I didn't concentrate soo hard on keeping everything in!

My friends mum has one of those things that tone you up, she reckons it's crap!

Original poster
PukeyMummy · 22/02/2011 12:50

I just wanted to say thank you to mrsnoggin for recommending Always Envive - so much comfier than Tena Lady!

OP posts:
doodledee · 22/02/2011 16:25

I experienced this. Pregnant with 2nd baby - no problems with 1st pregnancy or since but from about 14 weeks developed awful cough and stress incontinence. Cough and incontinece lasted 7 weeks. Very miserable and distressing - had to wear tena pads constantly - cost me a fortune!. Mw said this is more common in 2nd and subsequent pregnancies. All settled now (only because cough settled). Mind u also developed varicose veins this time too when avoided them 1st time roung - just waiting for the dreaded stretch marks to completely finish me off!!!

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