Embarrassing Question About Bladder Post Birth

Totally normal - when standing up I have to cross my legs to cough or I'll pee a little bit. Can't jump on a trampoline anymore with the kiddos or I'll pee a little bit (ok a lot on this one). Have to be really careful at my daughter's hockey games - if I jump up, I'll pee a little bit. I find if I hold it too long, it takes forever to finish, just keeps going a little tiny bit - very annoying.

Hi,

Don't be embarrassed! Totally normal after giving birth-- your bladder had a lot of stress when you were pregnant-it takes time to adjust after. You may have some incontenience problems. I would see your gyn and have them evaluate you-if they can't help you, they will refer you to a urologist or urogynocologist. In the mean time do your kegel exercises and stand up after you finish voiding your bladder, then sit back down- you can help get all of the urine out that way. Good luck!

M

Really common, A.. Sounds like you may have experienced some damage to the supporting muscles that hold the bladder in place, resulting in what is called a cystocele – the collapsing or bulging of the bladder into the space normally reserved for the uterus and vaginal canal. This allows part of the bladder to sag lower than the urethral opening through which urine escapes the body, making it hard to completely empty the bladder.

Sometimes a rectocele occurs (in addition to, or instead of, the cystocele), in which the rectum is no longer held in place by the pelvic muscles, and bowel changes occur which require adaptations to lifestyle.

Kegel excercises can help many women who experience this. Mini-pads are a godsend for those of us who deal with relatively small trickles. There are support groups; here's one: http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a2992225/cystocele.... Some women have to learn to catheterize themselves to empty the bladder when the problem is severe or results in frequent bladder infections. Some women wear a device in the vagina called a pessary, which is fitted by a doctor. Corrective surgery is available, but I personally have never known a woman who's chosen that option.

Many, many women (and you can probably tell by my response that I'm one of 'em) live with this condition for the rest of their lives. It's doable and you find ways to cope, if you can't afford surgical correction. Keep your body and pelvic muscles toned, because the conditions tend to get more challenging as you age. And keep smiling – you have a baby to show for it all!

Sounds very normal. Many women find Kegel Exercises to be helpful. Also, when peeing stop midstream and hold it for a few seconds and then release. Try this once each time for a week and then do it twice each time to strengthen your bladder. There is a possibility of a bladder infection, so I would try a few home remedies first (if it doesn't resolve or if you get any pain, burning, fever or other symptoms see a doctor right away).

1. 1/2 tsp baking soda in a glass of water. This changes the acid balance in your urine and can be quite effective.

2. Drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria.

3. Cranberry juice - pure juice no additives or sugar.

4. Vitamin C taken throughout the day about 1,000 mg.

5. Use pads and not tampons. Cloth menstrual pads are better than disposable as they do not contain chemicals or gases that can cause further irritation or infection. My favorite are Fresh Moon pads as they are super comfortable, preshrunk, and last years!

If it doesn't resolve by the time you have insurance, it would not hurt to see a doctor. Better yet, see a midwife or natural doctor that can offer some serious exercises and treatments that will help restore normal function.

Yes you can go to a doctor and do not be embarrassed it happens to lots of women. If the doctor has a medical degree they've heard it many many times before.
I personally would use homeopathic Sulfur 30c for five days four times a day.
But as you have health insurance use it. If whatever the doctor gives you does not work try the cure above. It's known to work.

Make sure you are doing kegels daily? This has really helped strengthen my bladder. Granted, I still have an issue here or there when I am too baby-focused and hold it too long, but other than that, the daily kegels have helped a ton.

I have to "wait for more" as you say as well, and my second child was almost 2 when we got pregnant again, so it didn't go away in 2 years. I also have to be careful if I cough too hard. If it is really bad, there are surgeries you can have to correct the problem, but in the meantime just work on doing kegels (as if I ever remember to) and don't cough too hard. I think it is largely birth-related and is normal, so I wouldn't worry about it too much, even though it is irritating.

Need to be evaluated for possible infection or possible bladder problem by a doctor or urologist.