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Is Incontinency Common During Pregnancy?

As the baby grows, the enlarging uterus causes pressure on the bladder below it. This extra stress on the bladder makes it easier for any additional exertion, such as laughing, sneezing or exercising, to push urine out of the bladder. This is why women who are pregnant often have mild urinary incontinence during pregnancy. During a first pregnancy, more than one-third of women develop temporary stress incontinence. During subsequent pregnancies, more than three quarters develop this problem. However, most of the women who have incontinence during pregnancy return to full continence after delivery as the tissues of the birth canal heal. Only about 5% of these women still have stress incontinence a year after the delivery.

Some recent studies show that the likelihood of incontinence and prolapse is lower if the mother (and her doctor) allow the natural force of the uterine contractions to push the baby down the birth canal, rather than have the mother push as hard as she can during this time. If the voluntary pushing part of labor can be limited to less than one hour, studies show a lower incidence of injury to the nerves and muscles of the pelvis. This alternative may be a safer and more natural way to deliver by letting the uterus do the work it was designed to do.

Can Episiotomy Lead to Anal Incontinence?

Much to everyone’s surprise, episiotomy may actually cause, not prevent, pelvic prolapse and incontinence, exactly what it was supposed to help avoid. Cutting through the vaginal skin weakens this area and increases the likelihood that the skin will rip further down, possibly tearing into the anal muscle directly below the vagina. If the skin stretches naturally, it is less likely to split apart, and if it does tear, the tear is likely to be shorter. Studies tell us episiotomy may actually lead to more damage of the anal muscles. If injury occurs, control of the anal muscles may be partially lost, and incontinence of gas or stool may result.

www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/womens-pelvic-health/patient-education/childbirth-incontinence

Pelvic floor exercises

The muscles around the bladder, bowel and uterus can be exercised, toned and trained like any other muscles in the body. Doing this before, during and after pregnancy will help prevent urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. They’re easy to do, in any place and at any time.

Here’s an example:

1. Breathe in and breathe out.
2. Pull the pelvic floor muscles up and in as though you are trying to stop yourself from urinating.
3. Hold the squeeze for 10 seconds while breathing normally.
4. Relax and repeat in 10 seconds.
5. Repeat the squeeze and release 10 times.
6. Do this exercise 3 times a day.

www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/bladder-weakness-after-birth

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