Incontinence During Exercise

Kegels, kegels, kegels...I can't say it enough. I too had this issue after having my son and when I went back to running I found this to be a very annoying predicament. So I asked my midwife and she told me that I had to keep doing my kegels to strengthen the muscles again.
HTH,
E.

Hi, GM! Your body went through a lot during pregnancy and your bladder "drops," and the muscles in the bladder floor are weakened after pregnancy. The best advice I can give you is to do Kegel exercises, which strengthen the muscles under the bladder (pelvic muscles). So when you go to the bathroom, while you are in the middle of urinating, stop it and hold it, then let it go, stop and hold. Once you know what muscles you are using, you can strengthen them anytime. If you have a lot of trouble doing these, there are biofeedback devices to help you learn which muscles stop and start the flow of urine. The other recommendation is, if you are overweight (it doesn't sound like you are), do your best to lose it in a healthy way. The less you weigh, the less stress on your bladder. I gave birth at age 40, 13 years ago, and understand your problem. Losing weight and doing Kegels (I still do them), took care of the problem with time. It will go away if you strengthen those pelvic muscles that support your bladder. Good luck and be patient with your miraculous body!
L.

Hi GM

Believe it or not this is such a normal thing (that no one talks about!). I had a similar problem and was horrified and embarrassed to talk about it with my doctor. Only after sending a note on a similar forum did I realize that MANY women have this probem after childbirth. Lisa below sums up the situation quite accurately and the kegels (as everyone mentioned) are important to do. It will take about 3 months to see significant improvements after starting a 'kegel routine'. The best time to start to do it is when urinating like someone said. You could also use a weight system (yes they have weights for down there!) called FemTone. I used those. Its a bit odd at first but they work.

Good luck! If you dont see improvements after a couple of months doing the kegels, definitely speak to your doctor about it.

Kegels, kegels, kegels. Performing kegel exercises regularly (several times a day) will strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that can become traumatized by pregnancy and birth. If you stick with it, you should start noticing a difference within a month or two. If you don't see any difference after 6 months, I would talk to your doctor. Some women experience extraordinary stretching of the muscles that support the bladder during pregnancy and in these cases a bladder sling may be advisable. I know one or two women that have had this operation and are very happy with the results. They may make you wait until you are certain that you are finished having children.

Don't feel bad about it though. I think all moms retain a certain amount of this problem. For me it happens when I'm coughing (like sick with a terrible chest cold coughing.) This continues no matter how many kegels I do, but it's not uncommon and isn't enough of a problem that my doctor will do anything about it.

Anyways, hope this helped.

OK, I totally had this problem after my first two pregnancies. What I learned was Kegel exercises are the best at strengthening these muscles. This might sound too specific but when you urinate, you stop the flow by squeezing 4-10 times. If you do this, within a week it should be easier to control. You can also do Kegel exercises of squeezing those muscles random times during the day. If this doesn't help, there are medications out there or so I've heard.

I had a baby two years ago and still have this problem. The doctor said that it may have to be something I get fixed in a few years after I am done having children. Of course they say kegels helps but I have not been very consistent with that so I can not say for sure on that. Sorry for the problem you are having I know how embarassing it is!

my doctor told me just yesterday that i should do 100 kegels a day to combat this problem. 100!

my doctor told me, that for immediate relief, use a tampon. it controls the leaking and helps strengthen you muscles because they hold the tampon. it will subside, then you will decide you are ready for your next and it will happen all over again

HI,

I didn't read all the posts but from what I did read I didn't see anyone talk about hormones and/or surgery.

1. If your breasfeeding it takes longer for the muscles to get back to the normal elasticity. It's the hormone thing..

2. Alot of women do leak but it's not normal...common yes.

3. If you have done the excercises and are not breastfeeding...staying away from acidic foods like tomatos (they irritate the urethra) then you need to speak to a urogyn....they are gyno's that specialize in this area.

4. There are several options for surgery that are minimal time and discomfort as well.

I was completely incontinent the second my son was born and was still about 70% after 8 months. I was advised to stop breastfeeding for 2 months before I had the surgery (he was weening himself by that point). I had a TVT and all is well.

Good luck, It definetly is not something women talk about but it should be! :)

Mandy

Try Kegels. Lots and lots of them. It is a great ex. to get those pelvic floor muscles back in shape. you might also talk to your dr. and make sure nothing was permanently damaged during the birth of your baby esp. if you had an episiotomy, large tear, vacuum, or forceps

GM,

I feel ya. My youngest child is now 2 and I still have this problem. I just thought it was normal and my doctor said that as long as I do Kegals and don't stress too much that I should be fine. I do high impact exercise 3 times a week and as long as I'm not over doing myself and I'm not stressed I'm fine. Hope this helps. God Bless

There are physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction and women’s health. Kegels help. They need to be performed correctly. If you do not improve doing them on your own, personalized instruction can make the difference. There are other exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor, too. There are other approaches to improving pelvic floor function, including use of the Feldenkrais® Method by a skilled practitioner.
R. Shapiro, MS PT, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner

GM,
I echo the other women who have said kegels. The elevator kegels are the ones I teach in my childbirth education classes. The other piece I'd suggest is that you search for is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor issues. Yes, there is such a thing.
Please feel free to contact me if you want more details.
L. M

Hi,
It is very normal for this to happen. I have a two year old and I still have problems with that. You can do kegal exercises to help strengthen your muscles. I would also wear a panty liner to keep yourself from getting wet. I am sure the DR. would tell you the same unless there is something else wrong but this is very normal for a mom to go thru and for a long period of time. Your muscles are very weak down there so when you are working out it's very easy for the tinkle to slip. Good Luck and don't let it stress you.
S.H.

Kegels, kegels, kegels!!! Did your doctor talk to you about this before and after birth? It's an exercise for your pelvic floor muscles and you should do them throughout the day whenever you can think of it. If you aren't sure you are doing them correctly, try stopping your pee next time you use the bathroom. If after a few weeks you don't notice a difference you should call your GYN. they can either prescribe a medication or refer you to an incontinence therapist. Good luck!

I think this is a common problem. I had it too. You need to do kegal exercises everyday. If you don;t know how to do these ask your OB doctor. I have realized that I must do these exercises everyday for the rest of my life. If i quit them for a time , I start leaking again. AF