Still incontinent 10 months on

[Bladdermatter]

I had my LO 10 months ago. I tore badly (3b) but surgical repair was good. Ever since I've had my baby I've been incontinent. It has improved a little, but I still can't go for a walk without a gush or leak of urine. One day last week I full on wet myself whilst out for a walk. It's awful. I have to wear a pad every single day and it's really getting me down.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced this and what helped? I've been to a women's health physio and she has diagnosed an overactive (hypertonic) pelvic floor and I have to go to them every 6wks or so to have manual therapy. No diagnosis of prolapse. Please help with any advice! I feel like this will never resolve.

You need to push for physio and more frequently. This does not have to be your new normal.

In the meantime, I recommend period pants for being a little comfier and feeling a little more normal than pads all the time

I have been paying privately for physio.

The NHS physio insisted there was mild prolapse and weakness, but they aren't as specialist as the private physio and I don't trust their judgement iyswim. Not sure what else can be done on the physio front as I can't afford more therapy sessions and the NHS physio doesn't agree with the diagnosis of hypertonic pelvic floor (or offer the therapy I need for that).

I've chased up gynae again today. I'm nearly hoping they can offer surgery, awful as that sounds. But if I have true hypertonic pelvic floor I know surgery isn't even an option.

Iv just added a post about incontinence after birth! I’m 6 weeks postpartum and suffering from it.. it happened with my son almost 11 years ago too. It does get better with time, it feels like a lot longer for me this time though. I’m fairly active and like you, can’t go for long walks! Its very frustrating and depressing.. I’d do anything right now to make it better and to get back to normal. Iv got my physio assessment next week, following the outcome of that I might go private (iv got private medical insurance through work), but not sure how much more they would be able to do either. Iv heard Pilates helps.. working on your core muscles as well as pelvic floor.. I would also say keep on at your GP or health visitor if it’s not getting any better..