{"id":109669,"date":"2019-11-11T05:45:58","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T10:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/109669\/the-baby-needs-diapers-but-will-i-key-info-about-postpartum-leakage\/"},"modified":"2021-08-20T14:15:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T18:15:06","slug":"the-baby-needs-diapers-but-will-i-key-info-about-postpartum-leakage","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/109669\/the-baby-needs-diapers-but-will-i-key-info-about-postpartum-leakage\/","title":{"rendered":"The baby needs diapers, but will I? Key info about postpartum leakage"},"content":{"rendered":"

After baby there are so many ways your life and your body can be changed! It can be a lot to process \u2013 especially on very little sleep \u2013 and hard to know where to find guidance on what is normal, what could be problematic, and what can be done about any of it! When it comes to the facts about postpartum bladder control, this post is a good place to start!<\/span><\/p>\n

Urinary incontinence is the technical name for the involuntary loss of urine.<\/span>1<\/span><\/sup> You may have heard terms, like \u2018bladder leakage\u2019 or \u2018a weak bladder.\u2019 While these are not medical terms, they refer to the same condition. <\/span>Urinary incontinence affects approximately 1\/3 of new moms during the first 3-months postpartum.<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup>  Fortunately, for most women, the frequency and severity of urinary symptoms is relatively low in the early postpartum period and may resolve.<\/span>2,3<\/span><\/sup> For the small percentage of postpartum women with severe urinary leakage, these symptoms can persist at 6-12 months postpartum and it is recommended to have a discussion with your healthcare provider.<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n

Women with Cesarean deliveries are less likely to report incontinence in the early postpartum period compared to women with vaginal deliveries.<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup> But, in the long term, rates of incontinence even out between women with C-section or vaginal births, so this is not a compelling reason for an elective Cesarean.<\/span>3<\/span><\/sup>  Cesarean sections bring their own additional risks, so if you are considering an elective c-section, discuss this thoroughly with your healthcare provider.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Stress incontinence (involuntary urine loss that occurs with coughing or sneezing, physical activity or exertion<\/span>1<\/span><\/sup>) is the most common type reported by all postpartum women. Urgency incontinence (<\/span>involuntary urine loss that occurs with the urge to urinate<\/span>1<\/span><\/sup>) is less prevalent among first time moms but becomes more prevalent with additional pregnancies and deliveries.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Why the increased risk of urinary incontinence postpartum?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

During labor, the deep pelvic floor muscles, the levator ani, experience significant strain and stretch up to 5 times or more their original length to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.<\/span>4<\/span><\/sup> Similarly, the connective tissues that support the bladder and urethra may be stretched or weakened during delivery. When this muscular and structural support is disrupted, women may be more likely to experience postpartum incontinence. The pelvic (pudendal) nerves may also be compressed or over-stretched during labor and delivery, which can interfere with sensation and proper muscle function of the pelvic floor and contribute to postpartum urinary symptoms.<\/span>4<\/span><\/sup>  <\/span><\/p>\n

This all sounds like quite a lot of stress to the pelvic floor \u2013 and it is! Childbirth is no easy feat, and related injuries to the pelvic floor may lead to incontinence symptoms in the early postpartum period. Remarkably, for many women, these injuries heal on their own within the 6-12 months after delivery, and incontinence symptoms often resolve.<\/span>3<\/span><\/sup> If symptoms persist beyond 6-12 weeks postpartum, physical therapy or other interventions are recommended and you are encouraged to discuss this with your healthcare provider, especially if they are bothersome to you.   <\/span><\/p>\n

What else can increase the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Risk factors for postpartum incontinence specifically following vaginal delivery include:<\/span>5<\/span> <\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n