I used to snicker whenever those bladder control commercials would come on, thinking only elderly women suffered from urinary incontinence. Then I gave birth, and in the days and weeks following, I discovered that older women are not the only ones who run to the bathroom if they laugh too hard. As embarrassing as it is, it’s completely normal. Did you really think you could push a human being through “that” and not suffer any kind of side effects afterward? If you did, you are in for a shocker! Childbirth really does a number on your body, especially when it comes to bladder control.
Immediately following childbirth, it’s dangerous to let your bladder get full, because you have virtually no control over the muscles that allow you to stop the flow of urine. Prevent accidents and embarrassment by making frequent trips to the bathroom. Don’t wait until you have to go because you may not make it. Trust me when I say I am not exaggerating. You should also avoid drinking large amounts of water all at once. If you sip your water slowly throughout the day, you won’t have any sudden urges that have you sprinting to the bathroom.
Over time, your pelvic floor muscles will regain strength, and you will have fewer and fewer leaks. In the meantime, wear a liner for a little safety net. To speed up recovery, continue to follow your doctor’s advice by doing plenty of Kegel exercises. If you are diligent, you should be able to get those muscles back to normal, allowing you to sneeze, cough or laugh without worry.
Remember, urinary incontinence after pregnancy is totally normal and expected. Think of it as a temporary inconvenience and do your best to work around it. And the next time you see the commercials for urinary incontinence, try not to laugh like I did, okay?