The article has been checked for accuracy (content includes links to reputable media sites, academic research institutions, and occasionally medical studies). All content on our website has been reviewed, however, if you believe our content is inaccurate, out of date or otherwise questionable, you may contact us to make the necessary corrections.
6 minutes
Postpartum urinary incontinence can completely change a woman’s life. So the best thing to do is prevent it from appearing. How? Here we detail it.
Postpartum urinary incontinence is a problem that greatly affects quality of life. It is estimated that it affects between 36 and 58% of women who give birth. In addition, it can manifest itself in various degrees.
The most worrying thing is that without timely and effective treatment, it can evolve into a chronic state over time. In this way, it ends up affecting the social, psychological and sexual life of the women who suffer from it. Why happens?
There is a strong correlation between vaginal delivery and the appearance of this condition. However, there is the possibility of reducing the risks with some preventive measures. Next, we tell you more about it.
Postpartum urinary incontinence: what you should know
Postpartum urinary incontinence refers to an involuntary leakage of urine after childbirth. Although it is a problem that has become frequent, sometimes it is not addressed properly. In general, the following types can occur:
- of effort. It is the most common type of postpartum urinary incontinence. There is leakage of urine when exertion is made such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or doing impact exercises.
- urgent. It occurs when there is hyperactivity of the bladder musculature. It generates an urgent desire to urinate, but there is usually loss of urine before reaching the bathroom.
- mixed. It is a combination of the previous two and is usually seen in the postpartum period.
- by overflow. The bladder musculature is weak and therefore does not contract normally. This causes urine leakage.
Main causes of postpartum urinary incontinence
Postpartum urinary incontinence it is more common in women who have involuntary urine loss during pregnancy. However, this is not always the case. It has been established that the main causes of this condition are as follows.
mechanical causes
During pregnancy there is an increased production of relaxin, a hormone produced by the ovary and placenta to facilitate childbirth. Likewise, there is a decrease in collagen, with the same purpose.
This produces important changes in the tissues of the pelvic floor, which causes it to weaken. The result is a mechanical dysfunction in that area that often leads to postpartum urinary incontinence.
traumatic causes
Sometimes, labor causes injuries to the pelvic floor. The more pushes are made, the greater the risk of injury. Similarly, the longer the duration of the expulsive phase, the more risk there is.
If the pelvic musculature is not protected during this process, increases the probability of damaging this area and of suffering consequences such as incontinence.
Childbirth
It is a fact that vaginal delivery increases the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence. This occurs when tears or injuries occur in the pelvic floor during the process, as an effect of the use of instruments. C-sections only partially decrease this risk, as they increase the chance of bladder injury.
Other variables
There are other factors that increase the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence. Among them are the following:
- Number of deliveries. The higher the number of births, the higher the risk.
- baby weight. The larger the baby, the greater the chance of pelvic floor injury and damage that leads to incontinence.
- body mass index. Maternal overweight and obesity increase the risk.
- mother’s age. Women younger than 25 and older than 30 have this type of problem more often.
- Gestational diabetes. Postpartum urinary incontinence is detected more frequently in women who have had this disease.
- tobacco use. This type of incontinence affects more women who smoke.
- impact sports. Women who practice these sports tend to have more compromised pelvic floor at the time of childbirth. This increases the risk.
Treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence
The most common is that postpartum urinary incontinence spontaneously disappear five to six weeks after giving birth. If this does not happen, the most appropriate thing is to go to the doctor to start an early treatment. The alternatives are the following:
- Kinesitherapy. It is a rehabilitation program with exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, based on contractions and relaxations of the muscles in the area. It lasts between three and six months. It is up to 50% effective.
- biofeedback. It consists of getting used, in a conscious way, to carry out the kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor. They should be carried out several times a day.
- electrical stimulation. It is done through a vaginal or anal probe. This has electrodes that transmit electrical impulses and cause a passive contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.
- surgical treatment. It is done when none of the other options are effective and the case is serious.
Prevention
Adopting preventive measures is the most indicated to avoid suffering the consequences of this type of incontinence. The recommendations are as follows:
- Practice Kegel exercises. They allow to strengthen the pelvic floor, but they should not be performed without having the approval of the doctor. In some cases, they can be counterproductive for pregnancy.
- Follow up. The state of the pelvic floor should be checked before, during and after pregnancy. This will allow detecting any anomaly in time.
- Strengthen the transversus abdominis. This area supports the weight of the uterus and plays a very important role in preventing postpartum urinary incontinence. The doctor is the one who should indicate how to strengthen it.
- take care of posture. Applies for pregnancy and postpartum.
- Keep in weight. It means taking care of your weight during pregnancy and, after delivery, getting back to normal weight as quickly as possible.
- sexual intercourse. It is best to wait six weeks after giving birth to have sexual intercourse.
- Go to the doctor. If any discomfort occurs, you should not wait.
Final recommendations
Postpartum urinary incontinence has become a common problem in women. In fact, pregnancy and childbirth are considered two risk factors for developing this problem. Therefore, the ideal would be to prepare the pelvic floor before conceiving.
In any case, if this problem occurs after giving birth, you should consult your doctor or gynecologist in a timely manner. The professional will determine the best treatment to prevent it from affecting well-being.
You might be interested…