Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sunday, November 09, 2008 incontinentmom asks

Q: New mom and incontinent.

I am a 28 year old new mom, had a baby about 8 months ago.  Since the birth of my son, I have been having problems with incontinence.  I find that I leak urine when I laugh, sneeze and cough and as a result I need to wear a pad all the time which I find uncomfortable.  Any suggestion as to where I can seek help?  I had talked to my OBGYN about this briefly during one of my follow up visits after the birth, but was told to give it some time and see if it improves.  It hasn't... now what?

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Answers (3)
11/21/08 11:20am

Congratulations! I'm a new mom too! Anyway, incontinence is quite common following pregnancy (interestingly, even in the case of c-section, as it is generally the weight from pregnancy more than a vaginal delivery that causes the pelvic floor muscles to weaken). Usually the incontinence goes away with time, but at eight months out it's probably time to start looking for a solution. If your ob/gyn isn't very helpful, you can try talking to your primary care physician, and if he or she isn't helpful or knowledgeable, then I'd recommend seeing a urologist or a urogynecologist. It sounds like you have something called stress urinary incontinence. Most docs will want to start treatment by trying pelvic floor exercises (Kegels). Your doc might send you to a physical therapist or for biofeedback to learn how to do the exercises correctly and to get into a routine. If that doesn't work, there are surgeries that might help.

 

Also make sure that the doctor checks you out for something called pelvic organ prolapse, which can sometimes happen after pregnancy and childbirth, and can cause incontinence.

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11/14/08 1:50am

Incontinence troubles after pregnancy and childbirth are very common. Here's some helpful info for you:

 

Women: How Incontinence Can Relate to Pregnancy and Labor

http://www.healthcentral.com/incontinence/c/45/2209/women-labor

 

Childbirth Studies and Incontinence 

http://www.healthcentral.com/incontinence/c/45/2865/studies

 

Kegel Exercise Relieves Post-Pregnancy Incontinence

http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/news-272197-66.html

 

Kegels and Pelvic Floor Health 

http://www.healthcentral.com/incontinence/c/45/3004/floor-year

 

Best of luck.    - MG

 

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11/14/08 6:46pm

get your primary doctor to send you to urologist. So that may be treated for the stress incontinence & you might try a thinner pad

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