Shortly after the birth of her first child, Elle began to experience incontinence, an issue she’d never faced before having a baby. What started as a small annoyance when she sneezed or coughed soon turned into a more frequent issue. She was leaking urine unexpectedly. Whether she was walking, laughing, or simply standing up too quickly, she couldn’t always control her bladder. For Elle, this unexpected postpartum symptom became a major source of stress and embarrassment.
Incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine, is common after childbirth. For Elle, this was an unexpected development. She hadn’t heard other moms talking about it much, and at first, she felt alone in her struggle.
“No one told me this would happen,” she thought, wondering why her body didn’t seem to work the way it used to. But the truth is, Elle wasn’t alone, and her experience is one shared by many new mothers.
Why Incontinence is Common After Childbirth
Incontinence after childbirth occurs for several reasons. The process of pregnancy itself, as well as vaginal delivery, can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and nerves that help control bladder function. During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, and this pressure continues to increase as the baby grows. Moreover, the hormonal changes during pregnancy also cause the pelvic tissues to become more relaxed and stretchy, preparing the body for childbirth but weakening its support structures in the process.
Elle delivered her baby vaginally, which is one of the most significant factors contributing to postpartum incontinence. The act of pushing during labor can overstretch and even damage the muscles and nerves that support the bladder. Additionally, childbirth can strain or even injure the pelvic floor muscles. For some women, like Elle, this damage results in stress incontinence—the leakage of urine during moments of physical exertion, such as sneezing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects. Others might experience urge incontinence, a sudden and intense need to urinate, even if the bladder isn’t full.
In Elle’s case, the postpartum period brought a mix of stress and self-consciousness. Every time she laughed or picked up her baby, she worried about an accident. In public, she was constantly on edge, fearing she might leak in front of others. The added strain of managing her incontinence while taking care of a newborn began to affect her mental health. She felt isolated and ashamed, even though incontinence after childbirth is incredibly common.
Managing Postpartum Incontinence
Fortunately, there are several ways to manage postpartum incontinence, and with time, many women see improvement. For Elle, the first step was acknowledging the problem and seeking help. At her postpartum check-up with her OB/GYN, Dr. Lisa McLeod of Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, she mustered the courage to tell her about the incontinence. She was relieved to learn that it’s not only common but also treatable. Her doctor explained that many women regain full bladder control with the right interventions and support.
Some of those interventions include:
- Kegels: One of the most effective ways to manage postpartum incontinence is through pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegels. These exercises help strengthen the muscles that control urination. Dr. McLeod referred her to a pelvic floor physical therapist, who guided her through these exercises and other techniques to rebuild her pelvic strength. While it took time and consistent effort, Elle began to notice improvement within a few weeks.
- Bladder Training: Aside from pelvic floor exercises, there are other strategies for managing incontinence. Elle’s therapist recommended practicing bladder training, which involves setting a schedule for bathroom breaks and gradually extending the time between them to retrain the bladder. She also made lifestyle changes, such as reducing her intake of caffeine and drinking plenty of water in smaller amounts throughout the day, which helped reduce the sudden urgency to urinate.
- Medication or Surgery: In some cases, Dr. McLeod shared that women may need additional treatment, such as medication or surgery, if the incontinence doesn’t improve with these initial measures. But for Elle, non-surgical options worked well enough to help her regain confidence and control. She felt empowered after understanding that this condition was neither a failure of her body nor an irreversible change. It was simply one of the many challenges of the postpartum journey.
Looking Forward
As Elle’s daughter grew, so did her strength—both physically and mentally. Incontinence was no longer a source of shame for her, but a reminder of the resilience of her body. She began sharing her experience with other new mothers, determined to break the silence around postpartum incontinence and to let other women know they weren’t alone.
By seeking help and taking steps to manage her symptoms, Elle regained her confidence and her life. While her body had changed after childbirth, she learned that those changes could be managed, and she could thrive as a new mother without being defined by postpartum incontinence.
Elle’s challenge with postpartum incontinence underscores that, with the right medical support, women can overcome health challenges and return to their vibrant, fulfilling lives. If you’re experiencing incontinence, we’re here to help you. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or simply schedule an appointment online.
