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Incontinence and Motherhood: What You Should Know

Incontinence and Motherhood: What You Should Know

Did you know that urinary incontinence affects 30-50% of childbearing women by the age of 40? If you’ve had a baby and are struggling with bladder leaks, you are not alone. It’s time to stop being embarrassed and to do something about it. Luckily, you have options, and The Charlotte Center for Pelvic Health is here to help. 

What Is Urinary Incontinence? 

Urinary Incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine. There are many different reasons why a person might become incontinent, and it can be a very embarrassing problem. Symptoms can range anywhere from leaking a small amount of urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh to not being able to make it to the toilet on time. Bladder leaks are uncomfortable and require wearing a pad 24/7 in order to avoid wet pants. 

Prepare Before Childbirth

If you are currently pregnant, do your research before hitting the delivery room. There are many different positions to give birth, and some have some drawbacks as to your future health. We usually see moms on their back and in the stirrups in the movies, but, believe it or not, this is actually one of the positions that may lead to a high risk of pelvic injury. The following situations may also cause permanent pelvic damage: 

  • Pushing for a long time 
  • Having a baby who is on the larger side
  • An episiotomy
  • The use of forceps during delivery

On the contrary, while a C-section still carries considerable risks to mom and baby, it is also associated with less urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse. Take the time to discuss all the options with your OBGYN and do your research. 

Kids: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

We all love our kids, but your body is never the same after growing a human being. It takes a while for everything to return to the right place. Moms take time to prepare for a baby, but not time to learn about the proper care for their own bodies after childbirth. Some decisions made in the delivery room can have a lasting impact on your bladder health.

What Can You Do?

Once upon a time, if you had a urine leak when you laughed it was just a badge of motherhood. Now, we know better. Medical advancements mean that we can now do something to fix the problem. The best way to start is with a visit to your doctor’s office. A consultation will help you determine the cause of the problem. From there, you can determine if you need a surgical or a non-surgical fix. 

The Charlotte Center for Pelvic Health has several non-surgical treatment options available. Esmella treatments twice a week for three weeks led to a 95% improvement in incontinence symptoms. The procedure is non-invasive, less than 30 minutes and doesn’t even require a change of clothes. Call for your consultation today to find out the best treatment plan for you, and get back on the road to enjoying life. 

https://www.nafc.org/childbirth/

https://uihc.org/health-topics/urinary-incontinence-frequently-asked-questions

https://www.independent.ie/life/family/mothers-babies/incontinence-after-childbirth-how-to-get-your-quality-of-life-back-26792063.html

https://www.healthxchange.sg/women/urology/urinary-incontinence-common

ABOUT AUTHOR

Dr. John Hettiarachchi, FACS FPMRS

Dr. John Hettiarachchi, FACS FPMRS

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