Pregnancy incontinence :(

[karategirl]

This is really getting me down. I seem to be suffering incontinence on and off, but I don't think it's really stress incontinence as it's not triggered by sneezing/coughing etc - it just seems to be a constant small dribble. Some days I don't have it at all, but others it's more or less all day. I'm starting to wonder if I smell of piss, and by the end of the day, I'm incredibly uncomfortable, itchy and sore.

I'm 31 weeks and have been trying to do pelvic floor exercises (although probably not often enough).

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? I hate the idea of incontinence pads, as I've always hated the feeling of menstrual pads, but I'm guessing there's not a great deal of choice here... I'm planning to start taking a couple of spare pairs of knickers to work :(

I just feel like this shouldn't be something that a 29 year old has to worry about!! But then it's probably just because no one talks about it.

That sounds awful op, have you spoken to your midwife about it? Are you also 100% sure it's urine and not fluid (this isn't to worry you, just thought it's worth asking)?

I completely forgot to mention it yesterday because (naturally!) it wasn't an issue yesterday.

I'm virtually 100% sure it's urine. Perhaps I'll give the birthing centre a ring tomorrow to talk to someone though just to be on the safe side.

It may be worth asking, any major fluid loss would show up on the scan but I always think it's worth a call.

You can be referred for physio for incontinence so definitely worth speaking to your midwife or GP. I was told to do 50 pelvic floor exercises a day, so maybe aim for that if you're not doing as many.

@karategirl
I'm 32+5 and I'm sure I'm suffering with the same ..this is my first baby and I'm only young so you can imagine the joys I get out of dribbling in my pants 🤦🏻‍♀️ if I need a wee sometimes I can't get my pants down quick enough and unfortunately I do end up having an accident and after I wee and think it's all out I stand up pull up the pants and then pee comes out?!? I haven't let it get to me much as I guess it's one of those things and I'm 20 ! So don't be embarrassed

Ow and I now have thrush because of this And how sore it was making me ( i always forget spare pants when I'm out so I can't do anything untill I'm home )

I got this with my third from about 20 weeks, wore normal thin period pads for it.
It stopped completely after he was born so try not to worry about it too much.

Almost 28 weeks here and the same for several weeks. Try getting some thin pads, you can often get free samples from onl8ne.. I use a mix of thin pantyliners and thin pads depending on where i am that day. Feels fresher to when i take it off or change. If you get the ones with cotton and not plastic i find them much more comfortable.

Unfortunately it seems like baby likes being upside down and snuggling in right by my bladder, so constant pressure. The having an accident as i sit down on the toilet is driving my batty too.

Do you drink much caffeine? I had this issue when I was still drinking tea but since giving it up it has improved.

I agree chat to midwife. Did they test for UTI’s?

Thanks for the messages. It's good to hear I'm not alone!

Still haven't got round to speaking to the midwife about it as I've had family round and it's been absolutely manic, but I'm off work this week, so will ring whilst I'm off.

Just wear pads you will stink if you walk around all day with wee soaked knickers/trousers. Tell your midwife and be double checked that it's not your waters leaking.

Hi,

I've experienced the same and it was due to a UTI. I had no idea that could be a symptom and had nothing else to suggest UTI but had my usual urine test done at the day assessment unit (I am monitored weekly) and it showed leukocytes. Sent off to lab and confirmed UTI. I was prescribed antibiotics and it cleared it up. Def speak to the midwife as a UTI left untreated can cause problems.

I was originally told you had to do 10 short pelvic floor squeezes and 10 squeeze and hold for 10 seconds, 3 times a day to maintain your pelvic floor. I went to see a pelvic health physio about si pain and she said when your pregnant you need to be doing 10 short squeezes and 10 squeeze and hold for 10 seconds, 6 times a day otherwise your pelvic floor will just get weaker and weaker.
I have to say since I’ve been doing them I’ve not suffered with any ‘leaking’ at all!!! Definitely worth trying to do more if you feel you’re not doing enough.

Try reusable cotton pads.

Squeeze app from the NHS is really good for making sure you do your pelvic floor exercises three times a day. I downloaded it after my pregnancy health NHS class.

Another aspect to this is making sure you are properly emptying your bladder when's you do go as well as not holding it in at all so perhaps going to the toilet and trying to go before you think you need to/when you don't think you need to. I have had a bit of an issue with this during my pregnancy and I realised I was not emptying fully sometimes or realising I needed to go until it was too late. It does seem to vary depending upon which way baby is as for me it has not been a consistent problem.