Leaking after delivery

Leaking after delivery is common but NOT normal.

When we’ve recently had a baby, we aren't sure what to expect with our body in the postpartum period after all of the changes we have experienced. So, of course, as females, we talk to our other mom friends about their recovery. We mention that we now pee our pants when coughing, sneezing or walking up stairs. We are validated and have our worries eased after they too say they leak and it just comes with the territory of being a mom.

But ultimately, we are still leaking and it is uncomfortable. Does every mom really just deal with it?!  

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence after childbirth (Thom et al.). It is even greater in vaginal deliveries vs. c-section, however is still prevalent regardless the type of delivery.

Leaking after pregnancy and delivery is extremely common in both vaginal and c-section deliveries due to the stress a pregnancy and delivery places on the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Following delivery, these muscles do not just return to their pre-pregnancy condition without help.

It is extremely common to experience urinary incontinence, however not NORMAL and can be treated by a pelvic floor physical therapist. These are specialists trained in treating the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles. They can help identify specific areas of muscle weakness, whether a scar (perineal or abdominal) is effecting the muscles and create an individualized plan to help resolve these embarrassing symptoms.

 Let's stop normalizing these symptoms and instead, let our other mom friends know this can be treated and there is help!

1.     Thom DH, Rortveit G. Prevalence of postpartum urinary incontinence: a systematic review. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2010;89(12):1511-1522. doi:10.3109/00016349.2010.526188