Pregnancy and Bladder Control
>> Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pregnancy and Bladder Control
One more surprise for your pregnant body: little bladder leaks!
Isn't pregnancy great?! Your body goes through a zillion wonderful, crazy, awful, mysterious changes — totally out of control, on its way to delivering your cute little bundle of joy. And, for many women, those changes include occasional urine leaks. As your baby grows, it puts pressure on your bladder. A sneeze, cough or even a hearty laugh adds even more pressure on your bladder and can trigger this "bladder weakness." According to medical experts, your situation is common and most likely temporary.
More than 50% of first time pregnant moms and up to 85% of second-timers develop bladder weakness.
Bladder weakness may begin in the first trimester but it's more common in the third trimester when the baby's growth accelerates. Then the expanding uterus leans up against the bladder almost continuously. A pregnant woman produces large amounts of progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone that helps make room for baby but can also contribute to unwanted urine leaks. About 40% of pregnant women also may experience urge incontinence: a sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate. So how can the mother-to-be hold on against Mother Nature's barrage to her bladder?
Good news! Bladder weakness usually goes away quickly once baby is born.
It usually clears up within a few days to a few weeks after birth as muscle tone returns and hormone levels drop to normal. It can hang around longer if mom is a little older than usual, or if this is not her first pregnancy, or if she had a particularly difficult delivery. And, a few women may continue to have some weakness ongoing. However, diet, exercise, biofeedback, bladder retraining, medications, and several other treatments are available to help minimize or eliminate lingering bladder weakness. POISE® absorbent products can also help play a role by offering outstanding absorbency (better than similar length maxi pads!) and helping lock in wetness and odor with special absorbent materials. At any rate talk to your doctor at the first sign of bladder weakness. (S)he will be able to help determine what's best for you.
One more surprise for your pregnant body: little bladder leaks!
Isn't pregnancy great?! Your body goes through a zillion wonderful, crazy, awful, mysterious changes — totally out of control, on its way to delivering your cute little bundle of joy. And, for many women, those changes include occasional urine leaks. As your baby grows, it puts pressure on your bladder. A sneeze, cough or even a hearty laugh adds even more pressure on your bladder and can trigger this "bladder weakness." According to medical experts, your situation is common and most likely temporary.
More than 50% of first time pregnant moms and up to 85% of second-timers develop bladder weakness.
Bladder weakness may begin in the first trimester but it's more common in the third trimester when the baby's growth accelerates. Then the expanding uterus leans up against the bladder almost continuously. A pregnant woman produces large amounts of progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone that helps make room for baby but can also contribute to unwanted urine leaks. About 40% of pregnant women also may experience urge incontinence: a sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate. So how can the mother-to-be hold on against Mother Nature's barrage to her bladder?
Good news! Bladder weakness usually goes away quickly once baby is born.
It usually clears up within a few days to a few weeks after birth as muscle tone returns and hormone levels drop to normal. It can hang around longer if mom is a little older than usual, or if this is not her first pregnancy, or if she had a particularly difficult delivery. And, a few women may continue to have some weakness ongoing. However, diet, exercise, biofeedback, bladder retraining, medications, and several other treatments are available to help minimize or eliminate lingering bladder weakness. POISE® absorbent products can also help play a role by offering outstanding absorbency (better than similar length maxi pads!) and helping lock in wetness and odor with special absorbent materials. At any rate talk to your doctor at the first sign of bladder weakness. (S)he will be able to help determine what's best for you.
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