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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Complete bladder loss after childbirth

51 replies

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 14:21

Has anyone totally lost bladder control after a baby? Constantly soaking through pads and clothes have no urge to wee and can't hold it in. I had forceps and episiotomy please if anyone has the same let me know very worried and feel alone no doctor's seem to know what to do

OP posts:

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LBB2020 · 19/11/2020 14:57

How long a go did you have your baby? Have you started doing your pelvic floor exercises again?

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 16:10

It's early days but it's really worrying me I had him 3 weeks ago but it's non stop flooding like no control even soaking past the catheter. Yes started them I'm getting told by one doctor don't do them with the catheter in but then another one saying do them. Have you ever heard of this off anyone??

OP posts:

Nightmanagerfan · 19/11/2020 16:13

Ask for an urgent referral to a women’s health physio who will be able to help.

catfeets · 19/11/2020 16:35

Can you feel anything when you try the pelvic floor exercises? I didn't do any because it didn't feel like I even had a pelvic floor plus it caused pain if I tried.
I had forceps and episiotomy and it was months before I felt normal. I didn't have the full incontinence issues but as I didn't feel like I'd be able to control it, I was constantly in the bathroom 'just in case' for weeks.

I wasn't even asked by the midwives if I was having issues and feel that it's something that's seen as normal which it very much isn't. I think you really need to push to be seen by someone (maybe a physio) as this can't be allowed to become your norm. I've had all my physio appointments at women's health dept cancelled due to COVID though, so it may be a long time until they deal with your issue.

EmilySpinach · 19/11/2020 16:56

Yes, you need urgent referral to a physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic health. Do not be fobbed off. There is treatment available and you don't have to live like this.

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 19:13

Emily did you have the same problem? I have been seen by physio but they said with the catheter in they can't do the pelvic floor exercises just yet but other doctors are saying to do them

OP posts:

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 19:16

Catfeets did you feel numb ye? Did you ever feel the urge to wee? That for me is gone and I just flood through clothes it's horrible got a catheter in now had it since I had him pretty much but I'm worried this will never get better

OP posts:

HeyDW96 · 19/11/2020 19:21

@Unicorn92 I don't have any experience of this but can I ask why you still have a catheter 3 weeks later? If you have a catheter you will not feel an urge to pass urine because your bladder is constantly drained. Your bladder is a big muscle, in order to maintain bladder tone you should perhaps look at having the catheter removed. They are not a good option for continence issues! Sorry you're having to deal with this and I really hope someone is able to help soon!

doadeer · 19/11/2020 19:28

This sounds awful for you. I think you need to go back to your doctor and explain you're being given conflicting information and you need clear action.

MrsBlobby43 · 19/11/2020 19:35

Can i ask you why you still have a catheter in? Your bladder muscles don't have any need to work if you've got a catheter in.

Blueberries0112 · 19/11/2020 19:36

Yes. And it will get better. kegal exercise

Farewelltoqualms · 19/11/2020 19:40

No advice but just wanted to say this sounds utterly crap for you op. The treatment and information you gave received seems really shoddy too

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 19:40

HeyDW96 I had no urge to wee without the catheter, they said to leave it in to give my bladder a complete rest just wondering if anyone else had been totally incontinent since a baby. Thank you I feel I'm getting different options from doctor's one say do keagles then another says don't with the catheter in

OP posts:

Willow4987 · 19/11/2020 19:45

You need a referral to a gynaecologist and women’s health physio ASAP.

I’d be concerned about your bladder becoming lazy if you keep the catheter in for too long as it’s a muscle so needs to be used

pinguwings · 19/11/2020 19:45

What follow ups do you have on this?

With your catheter is it going in to a bag or have you got a valve attached to the end so your bladder can get used to filling back up?

HeyDW96 · 19/11/2020 19:48

@Unicorn92 I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, but the longer that catheter stays in, the more sluggish your bladder tone will be in the long run! Perhaps speak to your gp and ask for a urology or gynae review. Seems strange they would want to keep the catheter in, they are terrible for people who want to regain bladder strength and they are a source of infection.

EmilySpinach · 19/11/2020 19:53

@Unicorn92

Emily did you have the same problem? I have been seen by physio but they said with the catheter in they can't do the pelvic floor exercises just yet but other doctors are saying to do them

I had birth injuries but no catheter. Like pp I find it very strange that you have been left with one.

Throwitthen · 19/11/2020 19:55

I had similar OP, couldn't wee at all post birth, I knew I needed to but it just wouldn't come out! I'd had an epidural so was catheterised for that. I came out of hospital with a catheter in place, went back into hospital 3 times for "trial without catheter" where they removed it, made me drink litres and left me to almost explode until they re-catheterised me. They didn't know know what to do with me and none of the nurses had seen it before. I ended up paying to go private see a urologist who arranged district nurse to come to my house the next day and teach me to self catheterise but I found I could actually wee again then! I just self catheterised once a day to make sure I was empty. I had a camera into my bladder which found nothing wrong, they think it was just one of those things and the muscles stopped working. I ended up with a catheter for 8 weeks but 5 years on I'm ok. Please keep pushing for a referral, drs and midwives had no clue how to treat me which probably delayed getting back to Normal for 4/5 weeks.

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 19/11/2020 20:42

I had similar to Throwitthen in that I knew I needed to go but I couldn't get it out - which is a little different to your situation.

Rather than a conventional catheter I had one that went in through my stomach to allow me to go home (after a week of my bladder not working). Perhaps this is an option for you to allow you to train your bladder again ? I was the put some drugs which really did the trick. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of these.

Everyone thought it was a one-off unfortunate experience due to the epidural, but exactly the same thing happened with my second birth 3 years later. This time I asked for the drugs again after a couple of days. The consultant said he'd had a patient where it had happened with all 4 of her children so it's clearly a physiological flaw unique to the individual.

Please bear in mind the chance of you getting an infection is high due to the catheter. If you feel poorly please push for an infection to be tested.

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 21:15

They told me to keep the catheter in until I see the gynecologist on Weds just to rest my bladder that it's probably in shock, I don't know what to do having loads of different opinions on what to do really appreciate everyone replying just hope someone writes in saying they had the same as me. It's worrying cause without the catheter I can't feel any urge to wee and it just trickles out constantly like a tap no control

OP posts:

Throwitthen · 19/11/2020 21:55

That's what they put mine down to - "bladder in shock" I also had a few UTIs so was on antibiotics during the 8 weeks. I had a bag for a while then asked for a flip-flow valve, it's like a tap you actually have to switch to empty your bladder - google it as I'm not explaining it well. This helped me retain the feeling of needing to go and helped the muscles.
It was a horrible thing which really impacted bonding with my baby, I feel for you, especially when medics don't know how to treat you. Keep nagging them. In the meantime buy bed wetting pads/puppy pads to sit/lie on to help protect your furniture and mattress!

Original poster

Unicorn92 · 19/11/2020 22:14

@Blueberries0112 did you have the same as me??yes i'm doing the keagles

OP posts:

MundyJuly · 19/11/2020 22:23

Hi Unicorn92, definitely seek a referral to a urologist or refer yourself, ring them up.

I had terrible injuries after forceps birth, had a Foley catheter in and then had to get a suprapubic catheter for a few months. I was the same with the Foley almost like it made no difference being in. This is the first time I have ever posted about it. Such a humiliating thing to have happen.

The good news is all is well now! You prob won’t believe me but if you get into a urologist ASAP they will do wonders for you.

The bladder is having a rest, you won’t feel the sensation/urge to pee. But it will come back. Best thing you can do is be your own advocate, this is gone past gynae, you need specialist urologist. PM me any time.

Blueberries0112 · 19/11/2020 22:52

It felt like I had no muscle control at all I didn't even know I wet myself, I ended up getting pads for it but I don't know if it is as bad as yours. It was so embarrassing that I didn't want anyone over because I had to change my clothes and pads a lot. Gave me rash and burns too. I still have a bit trouble but it got better . I think because I never sought help. I am just more careful if I cough or sneeze

Blueberries0112 · 19/11/2020 22:54

The damage was not from forever though, the damage came from a very rapid birth delivery. I was in labor for two hours and baby just came out within seconds and no one (nurses/doctors) was prepared

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