Sudden Incontinence??

Updated on July 02, 2008
L.S. asks from Austin, TX
22 answers

Hi Mamas,

This question is about my health. My child is almost twenty months and just yesterday, when I was lifting weights but didn't feel like I was over-straining, I leaked quite a bit of pee. It happened again this morning! I am having my period now so thought I was leaking blood but no, the liquid is clear which I can only assume to be urine. I had a normal vaginal birth but did have a 4th degree tear which I recovered from with no known complications. Why would I suddenly be having bouts of some incontinence??? Has anyone experienced this? Thanks for any input!

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L.K.

answers from Austin on

My mothers uterus and bladder dropped. That can definitely cause this problem. Be seen by a Dr. My utereus has also dropped and I had a partial hysterecomy--we are keeping an eye on the bladder---but no issues yet. Good Luck

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C.W.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi L.,
The pelvic floor muscle becomes weakened during and after a pregnancy (especially after a vag.delivery) Are you familiar with kegel exercise? I am sure they taught you this during your pregnancy, I hope! Any how, here is the exercise; Performing Kegel exercises:
Kegel exercises are easy to do and can be done anywhere without anyone knowing.
First, as you are sitting or lying down, try to contract the muscles you would use to stop urinating. You should feel your pelvic muscles squeezing your urethra and anus. If your stomach or buttocks muscles tighten, you are not exercising the right muscles.
Once you've found the right way to contract the pelvic muscles, squeeze for 3 seconds and then relax for 3 seconds.
Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times per session. Try to do this at least 3 times a day. Kegel exercises are only effective when done regularly. The more you exercise, the more likely it is that the exercises will help.

In addition, you mention you are on your period. The endometrium swells up with blood, causing pressure on your uterus, bladder, etc... which can be one of the reason why you are noticing this change during your cycle. I would suggest the exercises and monitor. If there is no improvement after faithful kegel exercise, follow up with your OBGYN. There are ways to correct this, if needed, but you may see some relief after your cycle is over. Be Encouraged!

3 moms found this helpful
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V.S.

answers from San Antonio on

That's right - Welcome to the club!!! I swear, we could solve the problem of teenage pregnancy if we just told girls the truth about what really happens to your body when you give birth. The other ladies are right. Kegel exercises are the answer to your problem. Well, Kegel exercises and a good sense of humor!!! And don't worry, I don't know if it happens to everyone but it certainly happens to a lot of us!! I was once at a dance and a fast song came on so I started to jump around. You guess it... a very embarrasing moment. Kegel, kegel, kegel!!! Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.R.

answers from San Antonio on

Someone once told me that you need 2 years (24 months) rest and repair time for the mother in between babies. All mine were born 2 years and 9 months apart except the last one which was 3 1/2. Your body may need time to heal (4 more months ! to be back to 100%) and lifting weights surely tests the limits. Make a visit to your doctor for a consult and back off a bit. Your body is trying to tell you something when it can't function 100%. You don't say if you are into vitamins but I think they go with weight training. (At least my high school football training son thinks so. He takes CAlcium-Magnesium-Phosphorus among others like Zinc and Vitamin B and C.) Take care of yourself so you can have healthy baby #2 ! All the best, Mama K.

A.P.

answers from San Antonio on

To begin with, contact your doctor...i found out after having my son, I had a prolapsed bladder from the birth, which makes peeing difficult and would often lead to leaking. Second, birth can often strain the muscles or weaken the muscles of the bladder spincter, so begin doing kegals. If anything it probably is a short term issue that can be resolved with kegals, but i would double check with your doctor to make sure its not something that may require medication or even surgery.

A.

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T.E.

answers from Houston on

they say doing kegel exercises help with this problem.

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A.S.

answers from Houston on

Hi, I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I am a registered nurse and I think you should see your OB-GYN for an exam, because of the length of time since delivery. You have had no problems for over a year and then leaked urine without even knowing it without straining very hard? I think it's worth getting checked out. This is NOT my area of expertise, but my advice is to rule out some kind of new problem before you just live with it.
Just my $.02!
:)
Hope that helps.

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

In most cases doing that little exercise called Keigal(sp?) will help to retrain your nether region muscles. To be on the safe side you should ask your doctor to check for any internal tears. Sometimes openings can occur between the bladder vagina causing leakage.

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N.W.

answers from Houston on

First make sure you don't have an infection (UTI). Try the kaegels, they do work for some. Talk to your doctor about other options such as medications but don't feel like this is something you must live with if you don't want to. I had a bladder suspension last month because I didn't want to live the rest of my life like my grandma, always worrying about peeing on myself and wearing pads. Yes, it was painful like surgery can be, but I'm glad I did it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

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M.F.

answers from Austin on

My advice is to go see your OB/GYN. Make sure there is nothing serious going on. I started having difficulty after my second child. It was just everything down there being stretched out due to large babies and a difficult birth with my first (I had a 3rd degree tear). Three years ago I had bladder suspension surgery and I haven't worn a Poise pad since! You do not have to resign yourself to incontinence! You can do something about it!

Hope this helps!

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hello L., I would definitely go to see your Dr. and I would start doing your kagels right away! Best of luck to you.

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K.B.

answers from Houston on

I have the same problem but I am 40. The doc told me that after 3 kids your bladder sometime drops causing the leakage. If you do kattle exercises it does help. You lay on your back push you butt in the air and squeeze your stomach butt and legs as hard as you can hold for 10 sec then release do this 25 to 30 times a day.

You can contact me at:
FreeGasAtLast.com/Id

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Let your Dr. know, he has had others with this same problem. There are even some things that you can do to tighten these muscles that got strained with having a child. It happens alot more then you think. Good luck.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

Dear L.,

I have dealt with this for years during my period. It is especially bad if i sneeze or cough or also when i am getting up after urinating i might also have a little leak. This only happens during my period and i only had a baby last year, so for me, it is not related. I will take a little toilet paper and pat again once i have actually stood up after urinating. The sneezes and coughs are a little harder, but it really hasn't been any big deal since it is not a regular thing.

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F.P.

answers from Austin on

Dear L.,
I was reading your request, and well I hope that I have an answer for you that will help you out. To begin, I start with saying that what you are experiencing is normal. During pregnancy and child birth obviously our bodies tend to form, and stretch and shape to the needs of our babies, well among that is our stomach muscles, and vaginal muscles. What you are experiencing is slight incontinence due to the natural birth of you child. Its normal, this usually happens in women who have thier babies naturally. All you have to do now is make your muscles stronger, and tighter. There is an exercise that you can do called a kegel exercise, it is when you tighten your vaginal muscles that help you stop urine midstream. start slow doing maybe about 10-20 repetitions a day, eventually setting a goal for yourself, the best thing about those exercises is that you dont have to stop everything you are doing to do them, you can do them at the dinner table or even in your car while driving. I am a nurse and have worked with an ob/gyn, so know about your situation. If you notice however that you are not getting better than certainly see you gyn about your problem. Good luck and hope things get back to normal for you!..F.

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K.H.

answers from Austin on

What Cyndi said!
Kegels kegels kegels!!!

K., mama to
Catherine, 4.5y
Samuel, 18m

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H.

answers from San Antonio on

Dear L.,

I am in my 60`s so I know what you are experiencing. You wouldn`t believe how many women have this problem and it`s not talked about enough, but it usually happens after childbirth. There are several options you may choose from: surgery, kegal exercises and or medications. I would advice you to tell your physican about it to see what recourse is best for you.

H.

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J.D.

answers from San Antonio on

welcome to being a mom. just a little advice, cross your legs when you sneeze and avoid trampolines. it happens to almost every mom. your bladder is weaker now due to pregnancy. i am not sure why it happens just know you are not alone. there is a surgery for it. however, it is incredibly painful i hear. i am not sure if its 100% effective or not. But, believe me you are not alone..

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M.H.

answers from Houston on

Welcome to the club!!!

1) Straining
2) Sneezing
3) Laughing

...hahaha...DONT LAUGH!!!.....(unless youre wearin' your Poise Pad!!!!)

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O.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi L. , like everyone that is responding to your request ,I too am going through what you are , but in my case I went to see my urologist , (doctor who studies the problems with your bladder, kidneys etc.)not that you don't know , just in case , I found a good urologist that has finally found ways to help me deal with my kidney and kidney stones and other urinary problems . I will have to under go some surgery that I am not too happy about but if it is going to help me with my incontinence . I will be happy . You do what is to your best benefits but if nothing works , try to go to your urologist .... he may have the answer . If you want I can give you her name she is very good and I will highly recommend her even though I haven't had my surgery yet . Good Luck to you and may God help you get your prayer answered ..... contact me if you need my doctors name..... at ____@____.com

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R.M.

answers from Houston on

I agree that Kegel exercises will help, however, I am surprised that no one has mentioned chiropractic. I had the same problem after the birth of both of my children. In both cases, I did not have an issue immediately after the births, but a few months afterwards. I told my chiropractor about it, and he did a few adjustments on my lower back (lumbar spine), and that was the end of the problem! Your spine is literally moved quite a bit during delivery, but you may not see the symptoms for a few months down the line. Loss of bladder control is very often a symptom of spinal issues, which can usually be quickly corrected with 2 to 6 adjustments, in my experience and the experience of my friends with the same issues. It is painless, and much, much cheaper and painless than surgery to "lift" the bladder, as my ob/gyn suggested I might need to have.

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A.V.

answers from Austin on

Hi L.,

You should see your doctor, but kegel-type exercises are great.

I gave birth in France, and I was able to receive several individual sessions to help the perineum area recover from the trauma it had suffered during childbirth. Several women responded to you and referred to kegel exercises, do you know that there are 12 different exercices you can do to regain muscle strength in that area! I was amazed. In France, they believe it is better to prevent such problems, in the long run it costs less. The approach to healthcare is much more proactive (with a focus on wellness and nutrition) and they provide free prenatal as well as follow up sessions (that start approx. 2 months after childbirth).

When I arrived in the US, I had not completed the course, so I enquired with my OBGYN who gave me a blank stare. It's a shame really, however I am grateful for the treatment I received in France. I have been practicing various exercises and so far so good (my daughter is now 2).

Try looking it up, there is so much that can be found on the internet, and no matter what course of action you choose, those exercises will help you a great deal for years to come.

Good luck
A.

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