Pregnancy and child birth can cause bladder problems. How and when the bladder is affected varies from woman to woman. Some women experience a bit of stress incontinence in the first pregnancy. For others, it doesn’t become a problem until after the birth or with subsequent children.
To understand how pregnancy affects the bladder, its important to understand how the bladder works. Two muscles help hold the bladder closed. These are located where the bladder meets the urethra. The muscles act like rubber bands, holding the urethra closed. These muscles can be weakened during pregnancy and birth, making them less effective at keeping the bladder closed.
During pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles are weakened. In a smaller number of cases, the nerves that regulate bladder control are damaged. There are a few other things that affect the bladder during pregnancy, such as having an episiotomy and a vaginal delivery. The changing position of the bladder and urethra later in pregnancy can also have a negative impact on bladder control.
For most women, incontinence or stress incontinence resolves after the baby is born. This usually happens within about six weeks after the birth.
The best way to deal with bladder issues is to prevent them in the first place. The best way to do this is with pelvic exercises. These are also known as kegels and can help strengthen the muscles of the bladder. These exercises are also beneficial for helping to regain bladder control after the birth of your baby.
A small percentage of women continue to experience problems with incontinence, even after the six week post partum period. These problems may be frequent urination or a strong sense of urgency. It can also be a continuation of the stress incontinence that is so common during pregnancy.
If you experience problems after the birth of your baby and these problems are still present at the time of your six week check up, mention it to your doctor. There are treatments available for incontinence.
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