Embarrassing! Bladder issues

[bellainthemiddle]

I'm so embarrassed to be writing this and sorry if it's a bit tmi. I'm 33 weeks, first pregnancy, and over the last few days I have really been having problems with bladder control :S I've noticed that I'm leaking little bits when I cough or sneeze for the last few weeks, but I've also started getting this massive urgency "need to go NOW" feeling, and if I don't get to a bathroom within about 30 secs ... disaster! Today it happened when I was travelling on the underground and I just couldn't hold on - I completely wet myself and I was so mortified and praying that no one had noticed.

Is this normal? Is there anything I can do? I'm praying it's just a pregnancy thing but I'm terrified it might never get right and I'll be stuck like his forever!

Lol, minor issue in the grand scheme of things but... it's embarrassing!

Congratulations on your pregnancy, have you had your urine tested recently? For uti? Could be that you have an infection? But also completely normally I leaked several times during pregnancy and after, make sure it's wee and not your waters thou!! Xx

I don't think I have a uti, but maybe worth checking! Eee, how would I know if it was my waters rather than wee? I hadn't even considered that! Sorry, very clueless ftm here ;)

Thanks for the congrats, btw! We are having a girl and I'm so excited!

Are you religiously doing pelvic floors? Because it will really help you in the long term, both before after the baby arrives. There is an app called squeeze that's really good. You may also have an infection. If you are worried it may be your waters, contact your midwife OP. Congrats!

Don't worry I was ftm too, when I leaked I went to the hospital and said I wasn't sure if I'd wet myself or my waters had gone, they will put a spectrum inside and check for you, also might be worth calling your midwife or doctor in the morning and asking them to test your wee or you could ring your maternity ward and they could test it for you, I don't want to worry you but uti needs to be treated if you have one and there can be no symptoms for a uti but the fact you said you need to go and only 30 seconds warning I'd get that checked for uti cuz that's a symptom xxx

I've been ultra-religiously doing my pelvic floors, but it doesn't seem to be making any difference! Thanks for the advice - I'll call in the morning. It's the urgency that's bothering me more than the leaks at the moment. I felt like I spent the whole day today running (or waddling, lol) to the nearest toilet!!

Have the uti check but be prepared to be told it's just the way it is. I'm 38+4 and have had the same for weeks. My physiology and the fact that baby has been down low for weeks means baby is sitting on my bladder. I'm constantly peeing and have leaks. Nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It's just biology. It's not like you're trying to pee over everything.

Posted too soon. Wear a pad if you're out and about. That will help with soaks. I haven't had a major one but I know the feeling of urgency. I'm sorry about your tube incident. Still, you're obviously pregnant and frankly anyone judgy can get stuffed.

Ahh, thanks for the support! I'm also expecting to be told that's just the way it is, really. Thank you for the tip about the pads - I've been using pantyliners, but perhaps I need to invest in something a little more robust. I had a rubbish night too - up 5 times to go to the toilet and it feels like the darling child is using my bladder as a football... perhaps she's going to play for England one day!

Moan over ;)

Did you get checked op? Xx

Moan away. It's what we're here for. Definitely have the uti check though.

I was the same, and still am now (16 years later). Buy some proper Tena Ladies. If you're embarrassed take them to the self service till with a couple of other things and do it dead quickly. Tena ladies stop the smell off wee in the way that sanitary towels don't and they soak up LOADS, nearly a whole wee and turn it into a jelly substance.

Also your waters will smell nice, like straw or hay or vaguely popcorn-ish. Wee just smells of wee!

I keep thinking why o why do i get the worst pregnancy symptoms first bad pregnancy sickness needed meds and now this.When ever i get pregnant i suffer from leaky bladder,If i get a chest infection i have no control.Now being so close to the end i have to go even though my bladder is not even full because baby is applying so much pressure.I use tena pads for days with no control or long drives

Thanks so much for all the advice - sorry that you've suffered in the same way, but from a selfish pov it's nice to know that I'm not alone with this! I did have the uti check and it was clear, so that's set my mind at rest anyhow. And the tena pads were a fab recommendation, thank you so much! I had a big leak on the way back to work and no damage done at all! Phew..

Glad to hear it's not a uti and you're all sorted with pads. Good luck!

Just coming back to this since I'm 3 weeks post-birth now (DD arrived early and is doing brilliantly!). I'm a bit worried because the bladder issues have been just as bad (actually, a bit worse) as they were during pregnancy. Is anyone able to advise whether or not it's normal and if (gulp) I can expect it to improve? The pads are a lifesaver, but I am basically wetting myself 2 or 3 times a day and I feel like it can't be normal!