Urinary Incontinence During Pregnancy

Oh, my, the memories that you have brought back for me!! My son is now 19, but I remember like it was yesterday. I had a lot of problems with HBP and puffy legs, so I was constantly drinking water. The incontinence was a daily part of life. If you are carrying lower, the baby is probably tap dancing on your bladder! I did find that going on a regular basis, whether I had the urge or not, helped a little bit. After the birth, when things are more normal, you will have a better feeling about whether there is now a continuing problem, and steps can be taken.You are in the late stages of pregnancy, your body is no longer your own. Hard to judge a symptom until after the birth of your baby. I had warts all over one hand!! I wanted them removed. My OB told me they would disappear, and sure enough, 2 weeks after my son was born, they were gone. Never had another one again. Lifting your stomach when you urinate may help empty the bladder more completely, as I saw another mention. Good luck, you are about to embark on the coolest journey you will ever take!!!

I once read in a pregnancy magazine that if you lift up on your belly while urinating you can empty your bladder fully. It's worth a try! Good Luck

It will get better eventually after the baby is born, but you need to do your kegals religiously. I read a tip to do them every time you stop at a red light, I find ideas like that help me to remember to do them. I've had 4 children, experienced this with all but the first and it has stopped after they were born.

Hi M.,

I didn't have problems during my first pregnancy, but after my first was born (3 years ago) I've had problems with incontinence. I've been seeing a Physical Therapist and things are getting better. Just know that there are resources out there than can help after your pregnancy if it doesn't go away.....also using Poise Pads are better than regular maxi pads!

Just wanted to add to Nancy's advice - make sure to lean forward when you urinate (after you think you've emptyied your bladder). It's amazing how much more you will pee! The Doctor that took care of me for my first pregnancy suggested this and it has worked like a charm with four kids! And, you're not doomed, those muscles can be exercised.

Hi M.,
Everybody (I think) has bladder control problems w/ pregnancy. Yours sounds greater than most I've heard (I teach Childbirth Ed classes) and honestly, for me, it was worse after delivery for the first few weeks. My best advise is to do you Pelvic Floor (Kegels) excercise ALOT. It may not feel like you are doing much, but you are(!), and it will substantially help after the baby comes(keep doing after birth too). If you don't know how to check to see if you're doing them correctly, here's how: while urinating try to stop the stream. That's the right muscle. Don't do this "test" too often as it could encourage bladder infections. Just as a check to be sure you're using the right muscles. Good luck and hold tight, you're almost there!

I am only 16 weeks along on my first pregnancy, so I can't give advice from experience. But, have you tried kegel exercises? They are supposed to help with incontinence and greatly assist during labor.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kegel-exercises/WO00119

Good luck!