Almost every woman out there experiences frequent urination during pregnancy, especially during the last few months leading to child birth. But what they don't tell you is that you might spend a lot of time in the bathroom postpartum too. I can't tell you how many women I've met that have told me that they started leaking whenever they laughed or even while they're working out ever since they had their baby. If you're one of these women, don't be ashamed. It's a lot more common than you think. And there are answers!
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So how does urge continence and an overactive bladder after birth happen exactly? Well for most women it's due to nerve damage sustained during pregnancy or the childbirth itself. So does this mean you have to live the rest of your life emptying your bladder all day long, drinking less to avoid the problem or wearing pads? No! Luckily, there are ways to take control of this pesky problem!
Tell your doctor: Unfortunately, your risk for developing incontinence or an overactive bladder increase every time you have a baby. Why? Because the weight on your uterus tends to push against your bladder. That's what causes those frequent urges during pregnancy. Plus, all that stretching and tearing that happens during childbirth also has an effect on your pelvic floor muscles. If it's been a few weeks since you had birth and your'e still peeing a lot, make an appoint with you OB-GYN asap!
Do Kegels: Most doctors recommend to women to do Kegels several times a day throughout their pregnancy. This helps strengthen the muscles. You can also try doing them after pregnancy. All you have to do is try contracting those pelvic muscles and hold it for a few seconds before releasing. This might sound like a strange example, but imagining you're holding in a fart. Hold it for a few seconds then let go. Repeat a few times.
Get a Kegels machine: Apparently there are kegal machines out there that can make doing Kegels even easier and even more effective, like the Kegel Exerciser ($150). This one is cool because it helps provide instant feedback for women while their doing their pelvic floor exercises.
Use weights with your vagina: There are also Kegel exercise weights ($70) that are easy to use and also get the job done.
Exercise: Exercises like tightening your pelvic muscles during a plank or bicep curl, are also good ways to strengthen your bladder. Some experts recommend performing kegels while lifting and lowering weights.
Change your diet: Certain foods and beverages tend to irritate an already sensitive bladder, such as caffeinated drinks like coffee, certain teas, soda and artificial sweeteners. They also work as diuretics, so lay low on these for a while. And keep a bladder diary for a few weeks and pay attention to the foods that make you go to the bathroom.
Avoid constipation: Constipation is the worst thing for anyone struggling with urge incontinence or an overactive bladder. "The same nerves that send signals from the bowel and rectum to the brain also send signals between the brain and the bladder," Dr. Muller told iVillage. Make sure to constantly eat fiber-rich foods and drink enough water so that you're going regularly. If it gets chronic consult with your doctor.
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