Stress incontinence? Does it go away after birth?

[Bellamuerte]

I've been suffering from stress incontinence since about 25 weeks pregnant and it's getting worse. Coughing and sneezing causes leaks, as does squatting and bending, and sometimes sitting down or standing up. I'm having to pee regularly (even when I don't need to) to keep my bladder empty. I feel dirty and like I've lost my dignity; it's making me feel like an incontinent pensioner.

Has anyone else had this? Does it go back to normal after the birth? I'm finding it very upsetting.

Hi, pelvic exercises definitely help. I am no where need as bad after birth as I am when pregnant, but severe coughing fits can be a bit problematic 😳🙈

Now pregnant again and it’s already started again from 8 weeks 😹

Yes, but you will need to do some work on your pelvic floor. It doesn't just magically go away on it's own usually. Are you doing pelvic floor exercises? I do a set of 10 usually 4-5 times a day. I still have stress incontinence (had it before I got pregnant frankly, due to a combination of things, including a previous birth). But I didn't have any issues eventually after my first (with regular pelvic floor exercises for a few months). It's good to keep on top of it and you can never do too much work on your pelvic floor. With some patience, yes, it should go away or get much better after birth, but possibly not straight away. Wear liners and change them regularly in the mean time. Stay away from sugary drinks, caffeine as much as you can, and also take big drinks of water rather than sips throughout the day. So like, don't keep a glass next to you all day and have little sips, drink a small glass of water in one go several times a day. That should make your bladder less irritable in the short term.

ha ha - no. Not on its own.

Two babies later I couldn't possibly go on a trampoline and have to be careful sneezing! My youngest is now 10

Erm.... it will get better but you'll never be how you were, most likely. Sorry!

Hello! I had awful stress incontinence in pregnancy which after a protracted second stage became urge incontinence too. Unfortunately it got much, much worse before I sought help. Despite doing my pelvic floor exercises there was no improvement. I got referred to a women's health physio who helped a bit but ultimately misdiagnosed the issue. I then had 8 months of private physio and she worked wonders. I'm almost back to normal in both respects and even went on a trampoline and bouncy castle!

I suffered double incontinence from about 26 weeks and was terrified it would continue after birth. I had an emcs, bowels were fine immediately and I’ve only had one night time accident and the odd leak when I cough a lot. I would ask for a referal to women’s health physio and some hospitals have specialist clinics which I only found out I should have been referred to once I was in labour.

Sorry I don't know if it goes away but you aren't suffering alone. I've got a terrible cold for the past few weeks and everything I cough it's impossible to hold in

*every time not everything

At 20 weeks I'm back to wearing sani pads against leaks when coughing, sneezing or dry wretching, else I'd need to change knickers 5 times a day.

31w here and leaking like an old faucet. It’s awful. I’ve started (probably too late) to do pelvic floor exercises. I can’t stop myself from peeing once I start, though. Nor when I cough, sneeze, walk up stairs, stand up... plus babyboy seems to enjoy doing star jumps all over my bladder at night. It’s a joy.