Incontinence after childbirth

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Hi I was looking to seek some advice or help about my incontinece issue. I'm 34 and gave birth 4 months ago. I had a vacuum assisted delivery with an episiotomy. During my last trimester of pregnancy I started to suffer from stress incontinence every time I sneezed I leaked. Since I've given birth I have incontinence. If I cough, exercise sneeze I leak, my other issue is I leak urine randomly without doing anything I could just be standing and urine will drip. I'm seeing a physio and I am doing my pelvic floor exercises everyday. I went back to the gynacologist. He did an ultrasound and I don't have an overactive bladder.he prescribed me oestrogen cream. It seemed to work to help the beginning it was still happening but a lot less but after a few weeks I find it's not helping as I was using it everyday but now only twice a week. I am currently breastfeeding and the gynecologist seems to think that due to me not having my period since I've given birth that it's my hormones contributing to this problem. He won't send me to a urologist until they return and I've had at least 4 cycles. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them and whether stopping breastfeeding will help my problems. It's very depressing and I'm finding it very hard to deal with as I don't know what's wrong with me.
Thanks for listening and I would appreciate any advice.

 

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Hi Rac,
I'm so sorry for what you are going through. It is a frustrating and all too common problem. You might check this out: carinwear.com. Carin has helped many women in your situation--it helps you both track your leaks and strengthen your pelvic floor to solve the problem altogether. This is something few of us talk about but many of us suffer through, especially after having a baby.
Good luck and please write again if you have more questions!
RW

 

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Thank you so much for your reply. I will check out what you suggested. Thanks again!

 

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Ask your doctor about InTone.

 

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I suggest you see a Urogyneacologist. I am 58 years having both bladder and bowel incontinence for 5 years now. I was referred to a Urogyneacologist two years ago and had surgeries with partial results (my stress incontinence has improved) but I am still having bowel leaks.

Urogyneacologist are gynecologist specialized in Pelvic Organ Prolapse repairs/treatment. Since you have only bladder issues, you have a good chance of getting the right treatment. I wish good luck. Never give up.

 

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I'm sorry to hear that you have been dealing with these issues. I hope you find something to help with your bowel issues no one should have to deal with these problems it's so mentally draining and I really do empathise. Thank you for your response I do plan on seeing a urogynecoligist once I have had my 5 cycles as per my gynecologist instructions. I am determined to find a solution somehow. Thanks once again and take care.

 

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Hi Rac. Sorry you are dealing with this. It is very common to experience incontinence after child birth. My wife had issues for 7 months after. I have been incontinent for a few years now. So luckily I was able to help her out with protection but it eventually went away.

 

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Hi archerstaley thank you for your response. I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with incontinence, I hope somewhere you find a solution to your issues as it is a very hard thing to deal with. I'm glad your wife's inconteince went away. If you don't mind me asking was hers stress inconteince? And did your wife breastfeed at all? My gyno seems to think breastfeeding is affecting my hormones I am unable to find anyone that has breastfeed and suffered from these issues, I'm interested to find out whether it will get better once my hormones are back to normal.

 

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Yes. And yes She did.

 

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Ok thanks for letting me know It gives me hope that I might recover.

 

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Hi, RAC.
Congrats on your child. Hope al is going well with the child. Sorry about here about your incontinence, hope things has inproved sence your posted. Hugs, praise, and prayers go out to you.

 

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Hi Rac, I’ve got a friend who is IC after childbirth and was never able to gain it back, this happened after the first child and since has had 2 more kids and no bladder control has ever come back. She doesn’t care much anymore but said she had seen several specialists to find a cure but was never able find that. I don’t know the details of how her IC started but that seems like a very severe case. I would make sure you push your dr to get you more opinions or switch dr’s. Best of luck to you!!!!

 

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I tried Dr. Norm's Fem-Tone, and it worked for me...
Hang in there, you will find a solution!

 

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Thanks for the advice everyone. It was improving a lot and was to the point where I though it was going to go away. I have now found out I’m pregnant with my second child, this not being a planned pregnancy. It now seems to be happening on and off more often and it’s obviously because I’m pregnant. I’m so worried that becoming pregnant so soon after my first child (who’s now 13 months) that I’ve probably ruined my chances of fixing this and am probably adding to this problem becoming worse. All I can do is hope that it doesn’t go back to how it was after my first child.

 

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I would suggest just not stress. Having a baby is super hard on the body. More so for some. You stretch, pull and sometimes tear muscles that hardly ever get used. It's like doing a triathlon and massive weight training in one day after sitting on the couch for a few years. Exercise, kegals, core muscle training and proper diet and hydration will help. I'll bet this will improve with more time. But many women suffer from stress incontinence after birth. Some right away and some years later. It may never go away, but after reduces after time. And congrats to you and your baby! I have 4 boys. Some leaking is a good trade for your lil angel.

 

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Have you ever thought about the following: Changing doctors, Going directly to the specialist and dealing with the referral drama later (if needed), all of the above?

I worked at an alternative practice where people came because they were fed up with being treated like they were factory patients, in/out/co - pay.

My name is Lydia Graham and I work at Elidah, Inc. - not sure if you have ever heard of electrotherapeutic devices that strengthen the pelvic floor. Honestly, not trying to sell you anything, just sharing information. Our clinical trials are over, however of you want more info, let me know. I don't send aggressive emails. Between school and interning here, I don't have time.

Back to what I was saying, you are not being heard. Don't put up with that.