During Pregnancy

When pregnant, a woman’s body goes through many changes. The extra weight from the baby can cause stress on the pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to incontinence. After childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles are often weak and stretched out, which can also cause incontinence Sandy Springs.

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine or stool. This can happen when the pelvic floor muscles are weak or damaged.

There are two types of incontinence:

  • Stress incontinence: When urine leaks, there is pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing. This is the most common type of incontinence during pregnancy.
  • Urge incontinence: This is when there is a strong urge to urinate, but you cannot hold it long enough to make it to the bathroom. This type of incontinence is more common after childbirth.

There are various treatment options for incontinence, such as:

  • Pelvic floor muscle training: This involves learning how to tighten and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
  • Electrical stimulation: This treatment uses electrical pulses to help the pelvic floor muscles contract.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat incontinence.

Pregnancy and childbirth are two of the most common times in a woman’s life when she may experience incontinence. While incontinence can be a nuisance, some things can be done to help prevent it.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises are often recommended to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. You can do these exercises anywhere, at any time. They can be done while sitting, standing, or lying down. To do a Kegel exercise, squeeze the muscles that you use to stop urine flow. Hold the squeeze for 10 seconds, then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this ten times. As you get better at doing the exercises, you can hold the squeeze for extended periods.

Avoid constipation

Constipation happens when there is difficulty passing stool. This can occur during pregnancy due to the change in hormone levels and the pressure of the growing uterus on the rectum and intestines. Constipation can also lead to straining during bowel movements, putting additional stress on the pelvic floor muscles and causing incontinence. To help avoid constipation, eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Stay at a healthy weight

When pregnant, it is crucial to gain the appropriate amount of weight. Gaining too much or too little weight can stress the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to incontinence. After childbirth, slowly losing weight can help improve incontinence.

Avoid activities that put stress on the pelvic floor muscles

Activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, and lifting heavy objects can stress the pelvic floor muscles and cause incontinence. If you have incontinence, avoid these activities if possible. If they cannot be avoided, try to do them with good pelvic floor muscle support.

Use absorbent products

There are many different types of absorbent products available for incontinence. These include pads, panty liners, and diapers. Absorbent products can help to keep you dry and comfortable. They can also help to prevent skin irritation and infections.

Call Wellife Center and talk to your healthcare provider if you are incontinent. They can help you to find the best treatment for your incontinence. In some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.

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