I gave birth to my first little bundle of joy a year ago. My pregnancy was a dream – no morning sickness, no stretch marks – it was a total breeze, apart from the occasional leaks I had leading up to the birth. I had heard leaks were totally normal though, and figured that after the baby came, everything would go back to the way it was before, so I didn’t really give them much thought.
After my baby was born, things changed dramatically. Suddenly, I was dealing with breastfeeding problems, sleepless nights, and a fussy baby that needed me 24-7. Not to mention those little leaks that I had before baby came – they were still lingering and I found myself changing my own pants almost as often as I was changing my baby. Every sneeze, laugh, and jump, caused me to leak and it really started to get me down. After all, I was in the middle of learning a new job – the most important job of my life, being a mom – and I couldn’t even get my own body to behave appropriately.
I finally talked to my doctor about it and he recommended physical therapy. I didn’t even know that was an option! But, turns out that strengthening your core and your pelvic floor muscles can really help control your bladder. This was great, because I wasn’t prepared to undergo surgery (not recommended if you’re planning on having more kids, like I am), and was really hoping to find a more natural option. So this seemed like a perfect fit for me.
My therapist started by reviewing my anatomy and showing me how all my muscles are connected. She also told me that I had diastasis recti, which is when your stomach muscles separate during pregnancy. This can really weaken your core, which affects your pelvic floor muscles too. She showed me exercises to help bring these muscles back together and strenghten my core. After baby, it’s also important to do your kegels to help get your strength back – my therapist told me that this would help me control those little leaks that I had when I placed stress on my bladder (like when I coughed, sneezed, or laughed).
It’s been 6 months since I started physical therapy and I’m happy to say that I’m leak free! I feel stronger and more in control of my body, and, more importantly, I feel better able to focus on and care for my growing baby.
I’m so happy I sought help. It makes me feel empowered, and better prepared to handle future pregnancies and babies.
New moms – don’t keep quite about this. Talk to your doctor and get help. There’s no need to suffer in silence.
Merrell N., Austin, TX
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE SUI TREATMENT TRACKER!
Have you started treatment for SUI? Sign up to receive our SUI Treatment Tracker and keep track of your progress! This 6 week program will help keep you on track and will help determine how your treatment is working.
